Efficiency, fairness key values

Age: Declined Occupation: RSA member, champion athlete, respected artist/poet, volunteer, diverse academic Martial status: n/a 1. What sets you apart from the other mayoral candidates?

I care, wholeheartedly, about reducing rates for ratepayers.

I am diversely qualified in art, sport, teaching, compliance/regulatory control, horticulture/floriculture.

I’ve held diverse work roles: Environment BOP, NGO, selfemployed, resthome, contracts manager, research technician, sports coordinator.

I am innovative, creative and proactive, having been involved with many positive projects — one of them received an advocacy award from the Asthma Society.

Lastly, my caring nature is honourable with all my volunteer work: Red Cross, Salvation Army, RSA, Meals on Wheels, YFC, IHC, churches, schools, SIT, charity relays. I truly care overall.

2. What are your personal views on the Three Waters reforms?

I made a submission to the

WSE Bill and presented it, via phone, to Parliament’s select committee on August 19.

Our water services may need improving but ratepayers should not have to foot the bill for Government’s decision.

As an example in my submission, my water rates total cost $1332.73 (unfair) out of huge $3109.40 total rates.

Water should be metered, userpays, (fairer). People living alone use less water than a family (reality).

It’s been suggested that Three Waters costs be spread across general tax (rather than rates).

3. What is the biggest challenge facing Southland in the next five years and what impact would your leadership have on this?

Dog control. There is an ongoing problem with dog control in Southland which has not been efficiently and effectively addressed by council.

From 201922 there were 100 dog attacks and this puts the safety of communities at risk. Additional problems with some irresponsible dog owners who bully victims when they get reprimanded for not abiding the bylaws.

Section 5, ‘‘Obligations of dog owners’’ under The Dog Control Act 1996, needs to be diligently enforced by council staff.

My leadership advocates for a fairer/safer and respectful/ responsible Southland.

4. What do you believe the problems are with the existing Local Government Act and how would you fix it?

LGA ‘‘Governance principles’’, section 39(b), ‘‘a local authority should ensure that the governance structure and processes are effective, open and transparent’’. Councils should be annually audited to ensure this happens.

Section 42 says one role of the chief executive is ‘‘ensuring the effective and efficient management of activities of local authority’’. CE’s remuneration package (202021) $393,760. Role should be audited as remuneration cost to ratepayer high.

Mayor’s role audit also.

Audit the code of conduct of elected representatives. Add councillor role to LGA. All annual plans should allow public submissions. All people should be allowed to present at all meetings. More respectful fairness overall.

5. What impact is the workforce having on council budgets?

The ‘‘workforce’’ of elected representatives (councillors and mayor) cost ratepayers $538,000 (mayor remuneration package $138,000) in 202021 year.

(It is my opinion that all elected representatives should do a monthly report so ratepayers can see accountability.)

The council ‘‘workforce’’ involved with First Edition publication should reevaluate the high cost, of publication, to ratepayer. Last year it cost $36,720.

(I question all the glossy colour pictures and also the mass amount of paper, not environment friendly.)

As for workforce involved with animal management service, this cost ratepayers $39,543 last rating year.

It all adds up.