Vote Barry Aylward for better use of ratepayer money

My name is Barry Aylward and it is my intention if elected councilor for Waiopehu General Ward to apply the skills learned in 30 years of independent business operating experience to squeeze every penny of value out for ratepayers. Included in my 30 years is 20 years operating a crayfishing business owning my own boat, and 10 years successfully running a high temperature bio waste incineration plant. Both of these businesses intersect with two of my key interests, environmental and business management.

Waste management

I have direct experience as an entrepreneur in one of the worst problems faced by Horowhenua, that of landfill. I have been in competition with private sector companies in waste management and I know what they get up to. While many companies will quote low to begin with, once they get a foothold, they will often put the prices up.

Cost control

It is unacceptable that recent projects in Horowhenua have been quoted at $3 million and costs have spiraled out of control to over $10m.

Any success that I have achieved has come from being a calculating buyer. I have always been fair and expect a fair deal in return. When agreements aren’t scrutinised and negotiated well, and when penalty clauses aren’t included, you lose control of contractors and costs spiral out of control, resulting in costs being heaped on the ratepayer. Prevention is the best cure, with someone keeping a watchful eye on the fine print with a view to the end result.

No matter your politics, any council can benefit from having someone on the team keeping an eye on things.

While I may not have formal qualifications, I have practical experience. This includes having an understanding not just of operational but of financial matters, such as exchange rate hedging, all of the boring but necessary knowledge that can stop council falling into debt. I know well that if you get it wrong as an elected official, you are held to task. Success in the role comes down to experience. Vote Barry Aylward for Waiopehu General Ward.

Authorised by Barry Aylward, Hokio Beach Road, Levin.