In response to my post, Rik has posed some interesting allegations, which I’d
like to comment on. I have to say one intelligible post out of two is pretty
good, Rik. I’d like you to follow my post with a resume of your own. Here are
some things about me.
In summary of what’s below, Rik, I think you are really concerned that perhaps
there are business people who actually believe we can be sustainable – working
the triple bottom line, that money can be saved from being “green” so we can
earn a “crust” and have a green heart and that scares you because you are about
saying “no” and perhaps there are others who are about “yes” and saving the
planet at the same time. Because that would mean there was no place for you or
the green party.
And so that you know why I am standing, its not to help developers, no, it’s to
work hard to help and represent the people of Christchurch. So have I helped
people before, read on.
You comment, Rik, on my rural background, yes my mother was raised on a farm
but I have always lived in the city and I would not see myself as “landed”, my
wife and I have always had to make our own way in the world. As to being an
import, name anyone in New Zealand who is not “imported”. I chose to live in
Christchurch some 15 years ago and yes I’m Irish which I believe means
hard-working and fun loving with a great sense of humour, a skill for language
and a great communicator.
As an Independent Citizen, I doubt anyone would claify me as a "tory", spend
five minutes with me and you'll see why.
To confer respect on the area you suggest having someone local – I am a beach
dweller so that would make me a local I think. As to good powers of
observation, logic and reason, a Master’s degree, working on a PhD (strategic
planning) and a background in innovation would certainly be my skills. I
wouldn't say I'm bright, rather a hard-worker. I also ahve good budgetary
skills, having controlled seven figure budgets for many years. I also have been
leading a major sustainable project and recently proposed the idea of
“biodiversity offset trading”.
You mention unrestrained development of New Brighton, I am not a fan of or
supporter of anything more than one level increase at a time – I’ve posted that
before on this site.
Now to characterise us as the real estate team, I did some sums - there are 34
citizens candidates with over 1,000 years of business experience of which 8
years is real estate.
You call yourselves the save our water party – yet you say “Nowhere in our
posts to this thread did Marcus or I ever mention water.” So what are you
standing for?
As to local concern, just today I spent an afternoon with the Seaview Youth
Centre people who raised funds for a project in Vanuatu – and thanks for the
donation, Rik, and for trying to hijack it. I hope you got a lot of votes for
it. I should point out that I personally paid for the sausages, the ads on
radio and print and the music to try to help them raise some money so again
thanks for your $1.50 donation.
I can also say that I have been round Brighton some four or five times in the
past months finding out the issues – issues which the city council candidates
should be addressing but aren’t, so I have to raise their issues – Rik, you
mention the trees, what about the businesses, development, litter – what have
you done about it?
I agree, Rik, as you say “be careful what you vote for folks. Beware those
yellow and black hoardings.” I say, before you vote find out the ability of
your candidates and how hard they’ll work for you.
But let’s take another tack – let’s see who’s doing what. I thought rather than
say I have 25 years of business experience I’d tell you about my community
leadership – then Rik, let’s here about yours.
The list below is voluntary and I have never received a cent for this work:
Director, Canterbury United Soccer, 1 year (current)
Committee member St Albans Shirley Soccer Club, 2 years (current)
Chairman, Community Preschool, 7 years
Church Social Justice Committee (I made a presentation to the congregation on
sustainable farming last week) current, 1 year
Trustee, King George VI Trust, 3 years
Standing Conference of Youth Organisations, 3 years
Youth and Scout leader, 20 years
Assistant Commissioner for Development, Scouting Ireland, 3 years
Community/Hospital radio, 2 years
Obviously a lot of this overlapped as I’m a mere 42 years.
So let's hear yours, Rik. You have more years than me, let's hear what you have
done for your community - its got to be a longer list than mine.