On the 1st of November a new form of Auckland city comes into existance. Before then you'll have the chance to vote for a mayor, a councillor and a new community board. There are 18 candidates standing for 5 positions on the Waiheke Community Board.
In this first of two opportunities to hear from the candidates Waiheke radio has given each of them two minutes to answer the question, "Why should Waiheke people vote for you?"
After you've listened to the statements we encourage you to make comment and ask questions. Later in the election process we will ask each candidate back on-air for an interview which will include your questions. We look forward to your input.
UPDATE: We have now conducted an interview with this candidate incorporating some of the community feedback and questions. Take a listen
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Island Life
Allen, in the past you've stood for election in Waitakere as well as Waiheke. Are you standing for any other boards or positions in this election?
Yes, I am standing for both the Waiheke and the Henderson-Massey Local Boards, I have been an elected member of the Massey Community Board since its inception in 1989 and I believe I owe it to those people who have supported me over the years to offer myself as a candidate for the new entity that will replace the Massey Community Board. I have stood for the Waiheke Community Board several times over the years and although not elected to that board I have been a regular attender at its meetings and I am actively involved in the Waiheke community.
http://www.elections2010.co.nz/2010/candidates/allen-davies
Check out the link above for an answer to that question. Once again, he's standing for two different electorates. Has he no idea how insulting this is for us here on the island? You'd have thought after the pasting he took last time he pulled this stuff he'd have wised up. I guess some people are just too dumb to learn.
I question why those responsible for this web page allow this type of comment, it is not a question, it is a statement, and I say to whoever this person is, they are hiding in annonymity, I would say, have the intestinal fortitude to name yourself and actually ask a question. You say "it is insulting for us on the island" my question to you is who is us and how long have you been working for this island community, if at all? I have been actively involved in working for this island for over 50 years. When electricity first came to Waiheke, (possibly before you were born) I as a teenager organised an alternative to the plans proposed by the then Auckland Electric Power Board for the reticulation of Onetangi. These plans were adopted by the AEPB and by there adoption have proven to be better for the community.
Hello Alan,
I think it would be useful for you to tell us about a few community projects that the Massey board has helped bring about. I think your experience in the Eco city where the councilors havent been dominated by C&R might be worth us hearing about. One thing you seemed to have experience on was on School Tavel Plans. Care to let us know more?
Tom Ransom
There are 14 schools in the Massey CB area and each has a travel plan to enable the children to get to school in the safest possible way, without the need to travel to school by car. I have been actively involved in the design of these plans along with other board members, council staff and representatives from the schools concerned. It is a concept that has worked well and of course Waitakere was the first council to adopt the 40 kph around schools concept. On Waiheke there are only 3 schools and as far as I am aware there isn't a travel plan, the question is why not? Another area that has shown growth and is supported by the Massey CB is community gardens on council reserves, it is working well and is bringing members of the community together, this is a concept that could well work here on Waiheke. Waitakere as the ECO city is a great concept and much has been done to enhance and preserve the natural environment particularly through what is called the "Twin Streams programme", it involves many members of the community in improving and ehancing the envrionment around two of the main waterways through Waitakere City, this involves the council all 4 CB's and the community and is working well. Another of the advantages in Waitakere is the ability for elected members to deal with council staff directly without the need to go through Democracy Services, this way more gets done for the community. The experience gained with Waitakere could well help Waiheke.
Agreed, This candidate should make up his mind which community he believes in and and wants to represent.
Comment has been edited by moderator
Again a question from some unknown character who has not got the intestinal fortitude to say who they are. What split loyalties? are you talking about, obviously this is not a question, but an attempted put down and I am surprised that it got to be posted on the web. Anyone who knows me and obviously the wrtiter of the suppossed question does not, would know that I do a lot of work in this community and that there is nothing split in my loyalties. It is the same as suggesting that because I support Rugby League I cannot support Rugby Union, that would be split loyalties, what rubbish, I would suggest this person get a life and possibly do something for the community themselves. There are many members of this community who are company directors, you will find that they are not directors of one company but of many, if you want quality representation then go for the person with the knowledge and the skills and a broad background.
Alan, what's your position on Waiheke becoming a possible Biosphere reserve?
I support the principal, but it needs a lot of work to make it something that Waiheke can run with and this would be better done by a strong group working outside the Local Board, it is not something that should come from within the Board. I would support a referendum on the subject.