Finance key issue in Waimairi election campaign

Press, 25 September 1980, Page 12

Finance key issue in Waimairi election campaign

nri’dates | Loca y

Financial management and value for ratepayer’s money are the concerns held generally by candidates for the Waimairi Countv Council. Holding down rate increases and making more efficient use of the council’s revenue is emphasised by several new candidates, while two sitting councillors forced to contest their seats point to soundness in the present management and the financial pressures beyond the council’s control that must be facedY

One councillor seeks a restructuring of county finances away from the existing riding system. Candidates warn of amalgamation possibilities with Christchurch City which are generally opposed. However, closer coordination with neighbouring councils and standardisation of services and regulations are seen as beneficial, particularly. for Waimairi ratepayers, by several candidates.

The elections give no indication of the emergence of any party groupings in council politics. Relatively few changes may be expected in the line-up on the council or specific policies as a result of the elections. Only four of Waimairi’s nine ridings will be contested. Voters in Papanui and Marshland will have a choice between two candidates for the one seat in each, while in Harewood the sitting councillors will be challenged by a third candidate, Mr G. R. Stocks, who has not responded to a request by “The Press” to supply biographical information, a photograph, and a statement of his views.

The Fendalton riding will have two new faces after the elections, when its sitting members, Crs E. L. Bdnisch and J. B. Russ, stand down.

The sitting councillors in five ridings have been elected unopposed. They are Crs I. G. Clark and M. E. Murray, Avonhead; Cr B. E. Cossar, Belfast; Cr F. Chisholm, Middleton; Cr A. A. Adcock, Styx; and Crs H. M. Tait and R. W. Skejellerup, Wairarapa.

Previously served three terms as a councillor, from 1965 to 1974. Formerly a reading and sewerage contractor. Co-operation between local bodies had been lacking, to the financial detriment of ratepayers, said Mr Blogg. He would attempt to organise meetings between, neighbouring councils to discuss matters of mutual concern and would seek some rationalisation of boundaries. Many' duplications of services by councils should be eliminated. Mr Blogg sgid he would bring “plain common sense,” which he considered lacking, to local politics.

Engineer, qualifications in engineering and business administration University of Canterbury, married, with two children. Mr Carter said he wanted to achieve closer liaison between local bodies to remove many inconsistencies between them which in his occupation he had seen result in the waste of resources.

Executive, aged 50, with manufacturing companv, married, with three children. ' Mr Columbus is, con-

vinced that council spending and rate increases could be held down. Inflation and improved property valuations were not valid reasons for “automatic and substantial” rate rises-.

He was ■ concerned that spending was- of no benefit to ratepayers. Essential services, such as reading maintenance, should be improved. Rates reform was vital, although some factors causing the rates burden to grow could be remedied by the council.

Shop proprietor, retired Armv officer, Real Estate Institute qualifications, married with three children. Aged 52. Mr Gibson is concerned about “undue delay” sometimes occurring in administering the submissions of ratepayers, particularly with regard to building permits. Every effort had to be made with regard to subdivisions and property redevelopment to ensure that Fendalton riding’s garden and park-like appearance was retained, he said.

General practitioner, married, with two children.

Good administration in Waimairi County in the past should be continued, said Dr Williams.

The recycling of rubbish, fluoridation of the water supply, and the “stabilisation” of rates were policies he favoured. Dr Williams also wanted to see the present level of spending on parks continued, improved recreation facilities for young people, and greater council support for accommodation for the aged. Planning measures should be improved, with zoning to separate residential from industrial areas.

Sitting councillor and deputy county chairman. Mr Calvert is appalled at the amount of “hasty and ill-conceived” legislation taking power from local bodies or imposing new administration on them without compensation for the extra expense involved.

The National Development Act and the National Parks Bill were examples of legislation he would fight against, he said.

He opposed amalgamation with any other local body. Waimairi County was large enough and amalgamation would break the close links between riding representatives and the community.

In town-planning matters, justice had to be served within town-plan-ning regulations.

Councillor since 1965, chairman of the ’council’s finance committee: Mr Hobby predicted that

the council would adopt a decision against the requirement to designate the proposed northern transfer station site in Styx Mill Road. This and the question of one rate in the dollar in the county were issues this election, he said.

The council hoped to keep pensioner accommodation in top condition and to keep rental increases, to be reviewed annually, as close to inflation as possible.

County chairman for 14 years, councillor for 15 years, Justice of the Peace, member of various local authority and educational committees.

The present council had “laid the groundwork for sound management and progressive local government” in Waimairi, where rates had been kept at a level lower than in most other areas, he said. Inefficiency,. a lack of representation, and increasing rates would result from amalgamation with Christchurch City, a move needed to be fought with strong and. experienced representation.

Mr Rich would continue to take a special interest in road safety, to support the riding system of finance, and to oppose any measures restricting the use of rural land for best advantage. ■

Cheaper electricity and more reading funds were needed.

Berryfruit grower and rural real-estate agent, married, with two sons. Mr Freeman objects to the coastal rubbish landfill proposal, . which would detrimentally affect Burwood, Parklands, and Marshland. Problems in the riding were created by the way rate finances were allocated, he said. Small residential streets with minimal traffic were constantly resealed while

“semi-main thoroughfares were neglected. Mr Freeman said he would ensure that only measures which would ehhance his riding were put before the council.

D S.I.R. scientist, married, with two chi'dren, aeed 43. Vice-president of the Redwood Community Centre Assonintion. Papanui riding’s “need” for a second council renresentative was one of a number of anomalies in the county’s representation system, which w as >n reed of reform, said Mr Hi"s.

He had studied representation in the riding and intended, if elected, to propose chances. He opposed any moves to introduce party politics into Waimairi. He had opposed siting of the northern rubbish transfer station and wanted the council to do an independent study of alternatives to the metropo’Ran refuse scheme. The argument over a common rale in the

countv had been without “adequate facts” and he would welcome a study of this issue.

Sitting councillor for IS Years, retired accountant, qualifications from British Institute of Bankers, chairman of the Redwood Coordinatin'’ Co”'mittee. Waimairi riding’s financial svstem was “costly and archaic” said Mr Rice. Council cash reserves of more than $2 million were continuing to be devalued. The council was unjustified in holding such reserves, depriving industry and commerce of purchasing nowen

Mr Rice said he favoured the co-ordination of rubbish collection, library services, and building regulations in metropolitan Christchurch. More studv was needed of composting and the recycling of refuse under the metropolitan refuse scheme.

Electricity charges could be reduced, lessening air pollution, if local authorities “got together for a better balanced load,” said Mr Rice.