Boards are the area’s voice
Board, says boards provide local services and advocate at a higher level.
He uses the example of Otahuhu as something the local board has advocated for.
‘‘We thought Mangere was neglected under Manukau City Council, but Otahuhu was even worse,’’ he says.
‘‘Under the Auckland City Council it was like they were the poor cousins.’’
The residents had been promised a swimming pool for years. So under the new board it was made top priority.
‘‘We went with four realistic priorities to Auckland Council in the first term,’’ Skelton says.
‘‘And they agreed to the pool, we went back later and asked for the library renewal to be brought forward.’’
Last year the $30 million Toia facility, with a swimming pool and library, opened last year.
‘‘It’s a balancing act,’’ Skelton says on managing different communities’ needs. Skelton is ‘‘proud’’ the board worked alongside other agencies on the new Otahuhu Station and Future Streets project.
There was also a pool renewal in Mangere. It didn’t forget Mangere Bridge either, completing the boat ramp in its second term.
That had been a project that had been put off under previous administrations, he says.
Your local board members are those who live in your community, Skelton says. And after 15 years of being on community and local boards, he’s giving it a rest this election.
He’s been chair of the former Mangere Community Board as well as the first chair of the Mangere-Otahuhu Local Board.
An independent with a ‘‘let’s get on with it’’ attitude and ideas are the best candidates to serve the community, he says.
‘‘If you are smart about what you can achieve and as long as you can lobby the councillors, you’ll get it done.’’