Election Special Newsletter

THE CANTERBURY SPOKES 2007 ELECTION SPECIAL:

1) INTRODUCTION.
2) CANDIDATES WHO ARE MEMBERS OF SPOKES.
3) CANDIDATES WHO VOTED FOR THE CYCLEWAY MORATORIUM.
4) CYCLEWAY MORATORIUM.
5) CANDIDATES' QUESTIONNAIRES AND ANSWERS.
6) THE FOUR LEVELS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
7) ELECTORATES.
8) A FEW THOUGHTS FOR FIRST TIME OR FLOATING VOTERS.
9) ERRATA.
10) IN CONCLUSION.

1) INTRODUCTION

The 2007 local body elections are now under way and some members will have voted already. On the other hand many Spokesters are either new to the region, have recently reached voting age or are disillusioned with their choice last time and are looking for alternatives. With 4 levels of government, almost 150 candidates, 2 different voting methods and a busy lifestyle, it can be daunting for the voters of Canterbury and Christchurch to exercise their democratic right in an informed way. In addition, cyclists were stunned when a majority of the out-going elected representatives on the Chch City Council suddenly imposed a cycleway moratorium that was left in place for 1.5 years. It is for the above reasons we hope the following will guide uncommitted members through the electoral minefield. The intention is to help with making wise choices rather than tell you for whom to vote.

2) CANDIDATES WHO ARE MEMBERS OF SPOKES.

Several members of Spokes are standing for election. As cyclists we hope they will support improved infrastructure for cyclists and also for pedestrians.

a) The following are City Council candidates, includes their ward (affiliations in brackets) and website for more information

Paul de Spa, Spreydon/Heathcote (2021) http://www.pauldespa.co.nz
Paul has been a Spokes Core member for many years and is a past chairperson.

Chrissie Williams, Burwood/Pegasus (2021) http://www.2021.org.nz
Chrissie has been an active Spokes Core member for many years.

Linda Rutland, Hagley/Ferrymead (2021) http://www.rutland4council.co.nz

Yani Johanson, Hagley/Ferrymead (2021) http://www.yani.org.nz

Marcus Puentener, Burwood/Pegasus (Independent) Marcus is also seeking election to his community board.

b) The following Spokes members are Environment Canterbury (ECAN) candidates

Jane Demeter, Christchurch North, (Independent) http://www.janedemeter.org.nz

Lois Griffiths, Christchurch West, (Save Our Water) http://www.saveourwater.org.nz

We wish them all the best and hope they are successful.

c) In addition the following councillors seeking re-election to the city council opposed the cycleway moratorium

Sally Buck, Fendalton/Waimairi (Experienced, Enthusiastic, Energetic Independent) http://www.sallybuck.co.nz

Sue Wells, Spreydon/Heathcote (Independent) http://www.suewells.co.nz

We appreciate their support and good luck to everyone!

3) CANDIDATES WHO VOTED FOR THE CYCLEWAY MORATORIUM!!

a) The following sitting Chch City Councillors seeking re-election voted to impose the cycleway moratorium. Includes their ward with affiliations in brackets
Helen Broughton, Riccarton/Wigram (Independent Citizens)
Bob Shearing, Riccarton/Wigram (Independent Citizens)
Barry Corbett, Spreydon/Heathcote (Independent)
David Cox, Hagleyerrymead (Independent)
Gail Sheriff, Burwood/Pegasus (Independent)
Norm Withers, Shirley/Papanui (Independent)

b) The following city councillors voted to impose the cycleway moratorium and are now seeking election to ECAN

Carole Evans, ECAN Christchurch North (Independent)
Pat Harrow, ECAN Christchurch West (Independent, formerly Independent Citizens).

c) Also it is interesting to note that all these candidates plus Bob Parker (independent mayoral candidate) voted to put a vehicular road in the pedestrian City Mall redevelopment. They later reversed their decision after a 7000 signature petition organised by a group led by Paul de Spa was presented to the CCC August meeting. This issue is not over yet and will depend on the No Road people becoming a majority on the council.

d) It goes without saying the voting record of the above candidates suggests they believe cars are more important than people.

4) CYCLEWAY MORATORIUM

As previously mentioned, in June 2005, Christchurch City Council imposed a moratorium on new cycling infrastructure. This situation lasted for 1.5 years. See http://can.org.nz/old/spokes_chch/moratorium/council.htm for the voting record at relevant council meetings. This is to show we are not making it up! Also the related Road through City Mall voting information is at - http://www.ccc.govt.nz/council/proceedings/2007/february/cnclcover8th/ Click on >> Confirmation of Minutes Council Meeting of 14.12.2006 Item 19 It is in a file called >> councilminutes14december2006.pdf

5) CANDIDATES' ANSWERS TO QUESTIONNAIRES

This year several questionnaires have been sent to candidates. The pressure of time and volume of content may mean some are not completely finished yet. If you find this is the case it is recommended to return later. Find your ward to see your candidates' answers...

a) Combined SOC/Spokes Questionnaire, this covers a broad range of issues that asks candidates their views on sustainability in general. Very in- depth and over 100 of candidates responded... See http://www.sustainablechristchurch.org.nz/resources/surveyresponses
If you are asked for a password type: raspberry

b) Spokester Alan Preston sent a questionnaire to all the candidates with regard to an awareness of utility cycling. Over 50 candidates replied. Colour coded to give an indication of their attitude towards cycling. Click on the family name to see their replies at....
See http://urbanbicycles.googlepages.com/home

c) The Cycling Advocates' Network have a questionnaire that was sent to all candidates throughout NZ. It includes ECAN but not CCC. The answers will be available from about weekend...
See http://can.org.nz/VoteBike/ See http://spokes.org.nz for any others that may become available later.

6) THE FOUR LEVELS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT
The following briefly explains the 4 levels of government being voted on, each with their different responsibilites as follows

a) Canterbury Regional Council (ECAN) or Environment Canterbury. See http://www.ecan.govt.nz Generally responsible for the Canterbury environment such as monitoring and improving air, soil and water quality. It also approves and monitors contracts for public transport. There are 14 elected members comprising two each from the 4 city areas plus one each from the 6 district councils in the Canterbury region. It is elected using the First Past the Post (FPP) system.

b) Christchurch City Council (CCC) http://ccc.govt.nz and click on Elections for election information. CCC is responsible for providing and maintaining essential services and infrastructure such as water, sewerage and local roads and streets. It also funds and operates educational and recreational services such as libraries, swimming pools, parks and gardens, sports and entertainment venues. There are 13 elected councillors comprising of two members each from the 6 wards plus one for Banks' Peninsula. It is elected using FPP system.

c) Community Boards represent and act as advocates for the interests of the community but have fairly limited responsibility. They are the link between the residents and city council. Each board has 5 members and is elected using the First Past the Post (FTP) system. It also includes the 2 City Councillors in the same ward.

d) Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) http://www.cdhb.govt.nz Responsible for providing public health services and infrastrcuture such as hospitals. It has a staff of 8,000 servicing a population of almost half a million people with an annual budget of $1 billion. The election covers the entire Canterbury region and all candidates are in together. Out of the eleven board members seven are elected. This election uses Single Transferable Voting (STV) system. This means you number the candidates of your choice in the order of preference rather than put a tick a box. Note: In all the elections you do not have to vote for the maximum number allowed. You may vote for only one candidate if it is your choice.

7) ELECTORATES

If you don't know the electorate in which you live, it will be on your voting form. Otherwise visit - http://ccc.govt.nz/elections for city council and community boards and ecan.govt.nz for ECAN regions. Here you will find the people who are standing for election and the priveledge of representing you.

8) A FEW THOUGHTS FOR FIRST TIME OR FLOATING VOTERS

Over the last few weeks Nigel Rushton attended several candidates' fora and related meetings. Visit http://www.paradise-press.co.nz/election.html for a few observations.

9) ERRATA

In the interest of accuracy and being fair to candidates, if we make a mistake or error we will post the correct information on the spokes.org.nz website. Please email us at spokes_chch [at] can [dot] org [dot] nz if you consider something is incorrect.

10) IN CONCLUSION

As its term in office draws to a close, the outgoing city council will probably be remembered most for lurching from one controversy to another. With a residents approval rating of 34% it is safe to say it is generally considered as unpopular.

Three years ago only 39% of the eligible population voted in the city council elections and some areas recorded the lowest voter participation in NZ's history. Only 22% voted in the ECAN elections. With the many issues we must face in the coming years, it is not good enough.

History shows weak and ineffective democracies tend to deliver disastrous leaders. Please exercise your democratic rights.

Spokes Core (excluding Pal de Spa and Chrissie Williams).

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SPOKES CANTERBURY Inc - "A Voice for Cyclists" - Post: PO Box 4536 CHCH - Email: spokes_chch [at] can [dot] org [dot] nz - Ph: (03)385-6306 - Web: http://spokes.org.nz/
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