Kaikoura—Mayor

Press, 6 October 1989, Page 35

Kaikoura— Mayor

Jim Abernethy After serving on the Kaikoura County Council, 1977 to 1980, I publicly stated I would not waste any more of my time and effort on council under the existing legislation. Now there is new legislation. I believe we have three years to make Kaikoura a viable, vibrant place to be in. As your Mayor I will, with the help of council and all our residents and our staff, make Kaikoura an industrious, friendly and safe district to visit and live in. The council would have three departments, District Council-Owned Enterprises — 1. Roading, footpaths, parks and reserves 2. Sanitation — health, water, bulding, planning and harbour control 3. Forestry and all rural type activities. This would leave our chief executive free to look after any legislative requirements and ensure the smooth running of District Council. I have always worked for Kaikoura and have time to continue working for Kaikoura.

Thomas Harvey Burgin Until recently I have been fully occupied with farming and farm development and little time has been available for my interest in the concerns and welfare of people, especially the disadvantaged. Kaikoura has treated us well, and I seek the opportunity to give back to the district something of that which it has given me. I would have the time and opportunity to give my best efforts to the service of my community. I farmed in the Rangiora district until 1973 and bought Lake Hills in the Kaikoura district in 1974. I studied for four years by correspondence and was ordained a deacon in the Anglican Church in May, 1983. I was ordained a priest in May, 1984. In August, 1984, I retired to Kaikoura and was Priest-In-Charge in. 1986 to 1987. I now continue as nonstipendary priest working part-time in the parish.

Jim Gameson His local government and community experience included the Christchurch City Council and Kaikoura County Council. He is an executive member of the South Island Local Bodies Association, member of the North Canterbury Electric Power Board, member of the Marlborough Licensing Committee and a member of the Marlborough Catchment and Regional Water Board. He feels that after 30 years of continuous local body experience and being retired he has the time and experience to serve the Kaikoura district and its people fully. “I am a positive thinker and Kaikoura is a positive district. I can help keep it on the same path,” he says.

Rural worth should not be forgotten in the district or regional council. His priorities are water storage, footpaths, cemetery, rubbish removal, roading, streets and bridges and better street lighting.

Paul Harnett I make myself available for the mayoralty and councillor as my interests are with the district. As a fourth generation farmer I have been able to maintain my rural and environmental concerns with six years experience on the 'rough Catchment..^® 1 ’am keen < admi. v” ;ew dist. olished indus have protection ™.ie fishing ventures, like farming, must maintain an ecological balance. To keep the farmers on the land we must keep the land on our hills. As pastoral parish chairman I am involved in the Catholic Church. I have completed 25 years as clerk of the course for the Marlborough Racing Club and 36 years for the Kaikoura Trotting Club. I have been district commissioner for the Kaikoura Pony Club and am an instructor and life member.

Don McKenzie The new District Council will need a steady, experienced hand at the wheel to lead us into the 90s and through the many changes taking place. I believe my experience in Local Government and 29 years in business can be used to advantage by the district and its people. If elected I would like to see a strong rural group, i.e. Federated Farmers or similar and an urban rate-payers-type association, who could liaise with the council to discuss ideas and areas of concern. This should also apply to any other groups who may wish to have their points of view known. I will be only too happy to meet these groups or individuals. If elected as mayor and/or regional councillor, I will be able to devote the time required to perform the duties to the best of my ability for the benefit of the district.