There’s no quick-fix for city’s CBD
If you were mayor, how would you help homeless people in the CBD? Hamilton’s mayoral candidates offer their solutions to reporter
RIGHT MIX OF COUNCILLORS
Current councillor has lived in Hamilton all of his life, and is a third-generation Hamiltonian. A chartered accountant, Pascoe was elected to Hamilton City Council in 2013 as an east ward member, and chaired the finance committee of council for three years. To reduce the number of homeless people in the city’s CBD, Pascoe believes continuing council support for the People’s Project is the best option.
‘‘This initiative has been working for almost two years with the Wise trust linking homeless people with the relevant agencies who can assist them with locating permanent homes,’’ he said. Pascoe has been involved in many community organisations, including the Waikato Kindergarten Association, chair of the Board of Trustees at Sacred Heart Girls’ College, chair of Catholic Care, and volunteer in the National Credit Union Movement.
‘‘Residents will only get the calibre and the right mix of councillors if they vote. Not voting is giving up a democratic right to choose their leaders, a right that is unknown in many parts of the world.’’
ANTI-CORRUPTION AGENT
Pastor ran for mayor in the 2013 elections. He is standing again this year as an ‘‘anti-corruption agent’’, wanting to provide ‘‘absolute transparency’’ from council to residents.
He believes txt-voting, in which people can vote in elections through their cellphone, is the best way to target the younger generation.
‘‘I think voting should be compulsory. We’re a little out of touch with our youth,’’ Gielen said. ’’I feel it’s time for a change.’’
He also wants to invite the young back into Hamilton city, proposing one way to do this would be to make Garden Place more ‘‘vibrant’’.
’’The homeless people situation is not going to go away. They are citizens. I’m seeking to provide homes for the homeless and providing homeless shelters.’’
Gielen said he was a ‘‘people’s person’’ and spent 11 years working at the freezing works in Horotiu. He also runs The New Zealand Suicide Prevention Trust, the main function being to provide a toll free counselling line.
DIRECTION FROM PEOPLE
Hamilton
City Councillor
is a former Hamilton Boys’ High School student, living in Hamilton since he was 13. King studied mechanical and electrical trades at Wintec, before starting up Andrew King Electrical in 1991, Kings Cars in 1996 and Kings Finance in 2006. He proposes to continue working with the People’s Project model to eliminate the homeless problem in the CBD.
‘‘Over the last 18 months the People’s Project have housed about 150 people and Central Government are looking at this model now due to its success to see if it is suitable to roll out over the country. I do believe that we have a responsibility to look after the vulnerable as a core value,’’ he said.
King uses his business office to meet with citizens of Hamilton to discuss anything that might be on their mind, whether it be Hamilton City Council related or just so they can get to know him.
‘‘Getting to know the mayoral candidates face-to-face will certainly give you direction when it comes to the vote. Also read candidates websites. This will give you some direction as to what candidates stand for and whether that aligns with your values.’’
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Former police officer
served 25 years in the force. His roles included overseas deployments to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and being a Diplomatic Protection Officer guarding VIPs such as Prime Ministers, President Hu Jintao of China, Nelson Mandela, Rachel Hunter and Rod Stewart. When asked about the homeless problem in the CBD, Casson said the making of bylaws banning vagrants or imposing a fine process will have limited success.
‘‘Mental illness is strongly linked to vagrancy. I know several of the CBD vagrants and through my experience, most have addresses that they can go to, but choose to live on the streets due to one problem or another. A wrap around programme for vagrants would go a long way to reducing numbers.
‘‘Unfortunately whatever solution is adopted will take time and the incidents of vagrancy will not totally disappear, but at least we can make a big impact on making sure these people are being provided for and taken care of to try and remove them from the streets where it is unsafe for both them and the public they interact with.’’
Casson said he stands for ’’honesty, integrity and accountability’’ and believes everyone should vote in the upcoming elections.
‘‘As the saying goes, bad politicians are voted in by those who do not vote. If you do not vote and the politicians who get in make decisions that you don’t agree with, you have no right to complain. This is your chance to have those in council that you want to represent you and your views, needs and wishes.’’
Casson plays club rugby and last year managed the Railfreight Cavaliers Under 12 Girls Marching Team which retained their national title.
SPECIAL HOUSING ACCORD
journey in governance began more than 20 years ago.
‘‘I went from being a mum on the kindergarten committee to Board of Trustee Chairperson at Knighton Normal School. Fifteen years ago, while raising my two lovely daughters, I was attracted to making a difference in the community and ran for [Waikato] regional council.’’
Since then Southgate has chaired the Environment, Passenger Transport and Policy and Strategy committee. She also believes the People’s Project and Night Shelter ’’do amazing work and should be supported’’.