A plea to spend wisely
As the results of the 2019 local elections are finalised, Nick and Cara Le Mouton hope new blood in local politics will get pedestrian and cycling projects in their community moving.
The couple, who have lived in Sunnynook on Auckland’s North Shore for the past 12 years, want to see the infrastructure around nearby Sunnynook Primary School upgraded so their children Grace, 8, and Ethan, 6, can walk to school safely.
The issue was front of mind when they voted this year.
‘‘It’s really important to have the right people on the local board and councillors who have similar views and similar priorities,’’ Nick Le Mouton said.
Although the couple are homeowners, possible changes to rates were less important to them than how ratepayer money was being spent.
‘‘We like to think more about the community than ourselves. The North Shore tends to miss out.
‘‘But we can certainly see around the Auckland region the rates actually get spent on things that need to be done. It’s hard to say that rate freezes or dropping the rates would help improve things other than our back pocket.’’
Cara is involved in the school’s Parent Teacher Association and doesn’t drive, and while out walking or taking public transport she’s become acutely aware of the issues affecting the area.
Nick also hoped to see some younger people elected to the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board.
‘‘A lot of the people who were on the board have been there forever and I’m sure they do an OK job but they don’t have young kids, they’re not involved with local schools and the like,’’ he said.
But the 39-year-old, who works in IT, said it appeared not everyone shared the couple’s interest in local elections.
He attributed this to people lacking knowledge in how it affects them.
‘‘They’re probably indifferent if you’re looking for a word for that.
‘‘It does take a lot of work to vote. It’s not as easy as just ticking a box. You’ve got to do a lot of research. It’s not easy.’’