All posts in the topic Guest Speakers (Short link)
Summary
- There are 66 posts — by 28 authors — in this topic.
- Latest post made by Dan Randow, Forum Manager, Canterbury Public Issues Forum at Jun 26 02:34 UTC
Hi Folks,
I am arranging a series of Guest Speakers to stimulate conversations in
the forum. They'll be high profile or otherwise well-qualified to
contribute views about local issues. The Guest Speaker will make an
opening post and contribute to discussion for the next week. They can
participate in the forum before or after that week if they wish, of course.
I have already approached a number of people about this, and confirmed
two Guest Speakers.
21-27 May (Youth Week[1]): Tony Milne
12-18 June: Bob Parker
If you would like to be, nominate or suggest a Guest Speaker, please
email me directly. There's a bit more info about what's involved, below[2].
As the first to appear in our Guest Speaker programme, http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/2i6Wi4gPxF8RzvCxBbFbCO it is my please to welcome Tony Milne. Tony has chosen this week because it is Youth Week, so I expect that our current focus on youth will be expanded. Apart from Amelia http://forums.e-democracy.org/contacts/ameliadalley (great to have you here, by the way, Amelia ;-), I don't know how many youth we have in the forum. If you are in the forum, and identify as youth, then please be assured that your contribution is valued here. Also, a request to all forum participants, if you know young people who would be interested in this forum, please take this chance to point them to the discussions that are going on, and encourage them to sign up and participate. I am sure Tony will explain just how young he is, and why he has chosen the youth focus, so... Over to you, Tony!
Thanks Dan, and thanks for the opportunity to be a guest - it is a real honour. Social innovators are as important as a economic innovators - and debate and discussion (in forums such as this) are crucial to societies that are cohesive and strong. So congratulations for all the hard work in getting this forum up and running. Just a bit about me before I do my first post later today. I was born in Invercargill and moved to Christchurch in 2000 to go to University. I am 26. Since completing my first class honours degree I have dedicated myself to public service – working in the youth heath sector, standing for Parliament for Labour twice, working in Parliament for two years, and working across Christchurch with the key community, voluntary, business and political leaders on issues of city-wide significance on behalf of the five Canterbury Labour MPs. (for my full bio see http://www.tonymilne.org.nz/About.aspx). I'm looking forward to some interesting discussion, and will post on my first issues later today. With kind regards, Tony Milne
Hi, For our guest or anyone who wants to chime in: Q: Do the youth vote in NZ / Christchurch? What percentages? Q: Are there youth centered publications and forums devoted to politics and a youth perspective? Q: Are there any campaign activities that occur at schools so as to engage the youth, their teachers and their parents? Q: Are there any voting issues for the youth? Q: Are there any programs for first-time home buyers? That seems to me to benefit a younger demographic. Are there any programs to allow seniors to stay in their homes without high taxes? = = = In the USA, we have some tax break programs for seniors so that they do not need to move out of their homes. Often they are called "Homestead exemptions." Taxes increase but the retired population is often on fixed incomes and can't keep up with home repairs and higher taxes. Often these properties fall into poor condition. In the USA, our average age of voter is 65 (it seems). I might be a year or two off the mark, but it is very, very old in my city. The youth don't vote. Meanwhile, the senior citizens always vote. A new national organization did start a local office in our city -- League of Young Voters. They hired up to 8 people to work full time on issues. However, more than half of the funding went away recently. So, they have not had a lot of time to make an impact. Ta. Mark Rauterkushttp://Rauterkus.blogspot.com http://Elect.Rauterkus.com http://Platform.For-Pgh.org
Thank you Megan Woods[1], for agreeing to be a Guest Speaker. Here's the current Guest Speaker programme. 21-27 May (Current): Tony Milne 12-18 June: Bob Parker 24-30 July: Megan Woods I am steadily inviting more public figures to be Guest Speakers, so expect this list to expand (and keep emailing me directly with suggestions as to who would be suitable). cheers Dan [1] http://megan4mayor.com
Many thanks for your Guest Speakership, Tony Milne.
I now welcome Bob Parker, who will be Guest Speaker from 12-18 June.
Bob will make a post or two, and then participate in the discussion that
ensues.
Thanks for this, Bob. And over to you.
Hi, I am Bob Parker, writing from my home in Central Christchurch.
I was born in Christchurch, grew up in Heathcote Valley (next door to the
Valley Inn Pub!)in Flavel Street.
Went to Heathcote Primary, South Intermediate, Cashmere High and University of
Canterbury (1 year). Then went to Wellington to study pharmacy and later
returned to Christchurch.
Later I worked as a broadcaster based in Nelson, Christchurch, Wellington and
Auckland before being involved in a computer software/hardware startup (video
edit systems) in a joint venture with Aoraki Corporation (Jade Software).
I chose to return to my home town of Christchurch around 16 years ago, bought
an old house in Akaroa, and maintained a small apartment in the Arts Centre in
central Christchurch. More recently Joanna (my fiancee) and I have purchased an
older apartment in the central city which has become our home.
I have three adult sons (Nick -electronic engineer in Perth, Anson - software
and design in California, Daniel - broadcaster in Auckland), and I am about to
remarry.
I am currently a councillor with the Christchurch City Council and will be
putting my name forward as a candidate for the Mayoralty in the local
government elections in late September/early October this year. Joanna is
currently completing a post-grad course in Art Curatorship at Uni, and is an
artist in her own right.
I have had 14 years experience in local government at the level of community
board, councillor and for 5 years as the mayor of Banks Peninsula, now part of
Christchurch. Following the merger of the City and Peninsula I stood in the
by-election and was elected to the CCC as a councillor.
I have chosen to stand in the mayoralty as a non-aligned candidate and do not
belong to any political party (now or in the past).
As the mayoralty must represent a City with many perspectives, political,
cultural, social and economic, many people have told me that they think it is
important to have a mayor who is above party politics - and I agree with them.
As this is a two-way dialogue, I am interested in the issues that you believe
are the important ones facing Council in the coming three years.
Looking forward to the conversation,
Bob Parker.
Well I am 17, yet i will be eligible to vote next year. I have been considering
what issues are important to me and have came up with a few of the following:
Consumerism, as shown by statistics we are getting better at recycling, yetit
seems our landfill waste is almost paralell to this. Athough the Waste
Minimisation Bill (solids) will hopefully be passed and come into effect by
then i wonder - how is our ever consuming society ever going to take a break
and realise our resources are finite? therefore i pose a question you could
find difficult - how does the CCC plan on combating this over-consumption
problem which plagues not only our city but our nation?
I have a strong point - why on earth does the City Council want a road through
the ONLY pedestrian mall, when estimates put forward by many well respected and
well researched geologists and geographers state that the power of our motor
vehicles will become extremely expensive and unaffordable as the supply begins
to wane?
In regards to my last point i would like to conclude with the question - what
is the CCC planning to do regarding improved public transport?
Kind Regards
Pauline Robertson
Hello, and thankyou for the interesting (even provoking) dialogue on peak oil
and the issues you have raised around motoring habits and public transport, and
the urban response to them. Following is a long, and I hope, useful answer.
In my view the issue is not just peak oil, but also a wider awareness of energy
issues and moving toward to a more sustainable pattern of development and
transport at the centre of which is an efficient public transport system. A
system that is so convenient that we will use it as a matter of choice,
preference even.
As the Chair of the Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy (UDS) for
the past two years it is something close to my heart, and that I have spent
much time thinking about as well as talking to some of the experts in the
field.
Roads will continue to have a vital role. We have some pressing roading issues
that we need to resolve. One is the completion of the Southern and Northern
arterial routes that connect the City to the state highway network – these are
planned, part-funded, and are a priority to finish based on current traffic
requirements – including safety and public bus transport. One of the goals of
the UDS is to access special funding from Central Government – much as has been
the case in Auckland and Wellington but so far with no success in Christchurch
– by presenting a comprehensive and detailed sub-regional development plan for
the “Greater” Christchurch area.
Another issue is the increasing number of “bottlenecks” within our existing
urban network that need to be resolved. Here we do have a number of innovative
opportunities that can better utilise existing roads in a less
capital-intensive manner: bus lanes, clearways and incentives for car-pooling
are just a few of them.
That will help deal with current issues but it is far from the complete answer.
Our road based bus service is another key – and with technological advances in
electric and other “alternative” fuel systems it will have a large part to
play. Already bus patronage is rising to levels we haven’t seen for a
generation. In Christchurch cycling is still the alternative mode of transport
of preference that is more popular than buses – and we can do better here as we
continue to build our cycleway networks (again, as per the UDS).
But right now something is missing, and that is a technology that around the
world is playing a vital role in enabling urban regeneration and
intensification, the rebuilding of social connectedness, and the emergence of a
more sustainable development form. It is “light” rail.
In my view we need to make a commitment to begin the planning and redevelopment
of rail-based public transport. Not overnight, but staged and over time.
In other words passenger carrying or “light rail”. I prefer to think of it as
modern, fast, efficient trams.
So lets imagine that a majority of residents of Christchurch, after a good
community discussion, come to the same conclusion and empower us as politicians
to explore this path. What could it look like?
I grew up in a Christchurch that still had passenger rail transport – and most
of the railway lines that were utilised then are still in place. These are
often referred to as “heavy rail” or lines with the capacity to carry large
amounts of freight as well as passengers.
We could begin with passenger services based on those existing lines and offer
services with at least three distinct routes:
(1) Rolleston - Hornby - Addington – City
(2) Rangiora - Kaiapoi - Belfast - Papanui - Riccarton - Addington – City
(3) City - Linwood - Opawa - Heathcote - Lyttelton
Here then are three routes that would need suitable rolling stock and platforms
with connections to parking and buses. As the South West of the City continues
to grow we also have the remnant of the old Hornby to Lincoln line (which
currently finishes near Prebbleton). We should consider extending this into the
Halswell catchment.
We should also turn our minds to planning and reserving land for a new eastern
line connecting at Belfast, travelling down the coast behind Brighton and
looping back and joining the existing heavy rail in the Linwood area. This
would then complete the “Circle Line” around the City, and which would run
through some of the most densely developed residential areas in Christchurch.
How about a new main City station at Jade Stadium linked to a bus exchange with
a light rail link which also travels through the south of Lichfield precinct
(“SOL”) into the heart of the City – perhaps to Cathedral Square.
The next step, a new light rail network that forms the “spokes” within the
outer circle line and, in some cases, crossing it to bring in outer suburbs.
Within that are a couple of special links. The University is connected back to
the Central city – perhaps to SOL, bringing back the energy and vibrancy of a
strong young group of citizens right into the heart of Christchurch with a
range of inner city accommodation.
I believe that we should plan for a central city (lets say inside the four
avenues) where the use of a private car is the least likely transport choice a
resident would make. Walking, cycling and a light passenger rail (modern tram)
system provide all of the access and mobility required for resident and
visitors alike.
I believe we can do this, not overnight but over time, by engaging as a
community around this vision.
Some experts may say that we don’t have the urban densities or the capital to
be able to realistically afford to have this vision – and I disagree. There are
compelling economic, social and environmental reasons why I believe this can be
achieved. Again, not overnight, but staged and over time.
If we wait until the sceptics believe we have reached critical economic mass
(in the narrowest sense of economics in my view) before we plan and envision
our future then we may find that, just like Auckland, the train has already
left the station – and we have been left behind. If we look to our future with
optimism then I think we will say we can afford to plan for the resurrection of
passenger rail in Christchurch.
Hi Bob,
Great to hear that you've been at this a while and thinking about it... What
is your answer to those concerned citizens who do NOT want a road through
Cashel Mall.
I actually don't understand the reasoning for tearing the city mall apart to
put in a road. It seemed that the City Councillors (CCs) beleived that
tearing up New Brighton's (NB) inner road to put in a road will 'solve' the
low tenancy rate in that part of the city.
When I visit NB now, I still see shops that are empty. It hasn't resolved
the issue. There's only one way of getting shops to fill up, and they didn't
go for this strategy...
The bigger issue for me is that CCs don't actually 'listen' to the voice of
the people. There was an outcry at doing this.
There is an outcry in tearing down Cashel Mall. CCs have a hearing problem.
Thomson Park's trees were cut down a few years ago. CCs said that they
'consulted' with the people, but what actually happened is that the CCs had
a plan, were going to go ahead with the plan no matter the outcome of their
'meeting with the neighbourhood'.
The greater issue in my opinion is that consultation APPEARS to take place
without it actually being done.
SO, to go back to my original issue and Pauline's original question, what is
your opinion about the 'tearing down', the 'ripping up' of Cashel Mall? Are
you for it or against it? Lastly, do you hear voices? (grin)
Hi Bob,
I notice that you said you are non-aligned. I think that after the 2005
general election it is important to know who the politicians are aligned to in
terms of who is donating to their campaign as they are obviously going to align
themselves with their financial supporters. I was wondering if you would be
willing to let the public know who you are aligned with so as to assist us in
making an informed choice for mayor.
Cheers,
Amelia
City Mall : There are two processes here and this has caused confusion for some people. Process one: This was the decision to renovate the City Mall and to initiate a formal hearing to consider a change to the legal status of the underlying land back to its heritage definition as a legal road. I voted in favour of this. Funding had already been approved via the LTCCP process and the vast majority of people believe the mall is well overdue for refreshing. As part of this plan foundations for future light rail or a tram extension are to be put in place, as well as a strengthened road base for a narrow service lane to control the access of vehicles that currently service the business’ in the Mall. I must say that as someone who is a regular mall user I think the plans look great. I suggest that you follow this link to see the plans and obtain more information about the revamp: http://www.ccc.govt.nz/CentralCity/Projects/CityMall/ Process two: Not yet underway but as a result of the above decision the actual legal process to return to the underlining heritage definition of the land as legal road will be carried out as the law requires. Independent of the revamp of the City Mall structure, this is a hearing process that will determine the final use, if any, of the previously closed roadways (Cashel - from Manchester to Oxford, and High - from Cashel to Hereford.) As a minimum we will have narrow service lanes defined, and at some future point light rail/trams. Other than this all options are on the table. Other than believing that at the least we should open the lanes up to bicycles (currently illegal in the mall) I will wait and see what submissions to the hearing bring before being part of the debate on the final use of the service lanes. Hope this helps with the understanding of the process. Best regards, Bob
Hi Amelia,
Yes, I have chosen not to align myself with any political party. On a council
of 13 plus a mayor I really cannot see how a mayor joined to a political gang
with a set of pre-determined policies can make for better local democracy.
As to funding, I have deliberately set myself at arms length to the process. If
someone offers me help of any kind I thank them, and put them in touch with my
campaign manager. I do know that, as well as my own input, donations of time
and money have been offered by my family, my fiancée Joanna, and friends. I am
very grateful for this help. As the campaign gets into full swing I hope that
others will want to contribute on the basis of getting to know my priorities.
However they will be dealing with the campaign team not me.
I come from a proud local kiwi working-class family, and it is fair to say that
they would be solid (as far as I know) Labour supporters. However I have always
voted on issues and for individuals, and not a party ideology. As the former
mayor of Banks Peninsula it was important to have a good relationship with
local MP’s such as Ruth Dyson (Labour), David Carter (National) and the late
and much missed Rod Donald (Greens). I was a speaking guest at various
functions they organised, and helped raise funds for all of them.
Christchurch is made of many different political, social, ethnic and cultural
groups. Many residents have told me that they think it is important to be a
non-aligned mayor, and I agree. I just believe a mayor should represent the
views of Christchurch, not some predominantly North Island based political
ideology.
Equally I have no “higher” political ambitions – for example standing for a
political party in the general elections, and thus do not view standing for the
mayoralty as a training ground for a parliamentary career. I am a local
government enthusiast of 14 years experience (some friends have suggested I
should seek counselling for this) and I love Christchurch.
Perhaps you are concerned that someone will “buy” me? Remember that a mayor has
only one vote at a table of 14 (on rare occasions if a vote is “tied” the mayor
may use a casting vote - generally to preserve the status quo).
Being a mayor is also about being a good chair and working to build a team from
a cross-section of perspectives.
Over the last two years I have acted as the independent (non-aligned) chair of
the Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy. The governance body
consisted of representatives from four local bodies, many different
perspectives, and presumably many different political views. I am very proud
that we reached the end of the process, including hearings, with no split votes
and a unanimous outcome.
Regards, Bob Parker.
Hello, I am Chris Twemlow and I am a resident of Lyttelton.
It is great to see a vision for urban transportation. Our city, planned over a
hundred years ago, has reached the limits of its current road infrastructure
along notable arterial routes. Now is definitely a good opportunity to muster
the political will to open the purse strings of the city to an investment in
Light Rail.
Part of the key as you outlined is having trains stop at appropriate locations,
if these are well chosen, they become a focus in their own right and
communities and businesses concentrate around them and would serve Christchurch
well into the future. After having lived on and off in Tokyo over the last 15
years, I know how effective and essential rail can be as population densities
increase.
I would also like to congratulate the Council and the efforts of yourself and
many others in the purchase of 480ha at Misty Peaks in the Banks Peninsula as a
regional park. In realation to this, do you have a vision for how Christchurch
could continue to expand and at the same time preserve and restore its the
wetlands, rivers, hills and harbours?
Dear Bob,
I am Andrew Doherty, although I don't currently live in Canterbury (I teach
Physics at the University of Queensland) I grew up in Christchurch and am a
regular visitor. I have been taking a keen interest in the upcoming mayoral
election.
The issues of campaign funding and political alignment seem to be ones about
which voters will be hypersensitive. In voting for mayor I would look for
effective management and a vision for the future of New Zealand's second
largest centre. Although I agree that it has little bearing on the day to day
management of the city, I do believe that one way of communicating to people
about your broad thinking on a range of issues is membership of a political
party or grouping. As an independent (or non-aligned!) candidate people will be
looking harder for information about your priorities. Moreover, in the wake of
the 2005 national elections I suspect that voters will look at campaign
contributors for clues about the thinking of candidates, or at least for an
idea of the kind of people who believe that they broadly agree with the
candidate. For example, in the Christchurch mayoralty property developers seem
to be one group of people whose choice of candidate could be quite
illuminating.
In this context I have two slighty fussy questions about your comments here on
funding issues: specifically with regards to the following
>As to funding, I have deliberately set myself at arms length to the process.
If someone offers me help of any kind I >thank them, and put them in touch with
my campaign manager. I do know that, as well as my own input, donations of time
>and money have been offered by my family, my fiancée Joanna, and friends. I
am very grateful for this help. As the >campaign gets into full swing I hope
that others will want to contribute on the basis of getting to know my
priorities. >However they will be dealing with the campaign team not me.
I am very interested in the logic of keeping yourself at arm's length from your
campaign contributors. Perhaps you feel this arrangement will help you to serve
disinterestedly if elected, however I would have thought that the way to avoid
a Hollow Men style loss of credibility would be to make your own judgements
about who it is appropriate to accept money from and then to publish a complete
list of donors?
The second point is really a clarification. I am sure it is a slip but the
phrase "others will want to contribute on the basis of getting to know my
priorities" is quite disturbing as it seems to play directly to public's fears
that increased influence and awareness of future policy are available to those
who can afford to make large donations to political campaigns. I very much hope
that as one of the leading candidates for mayor you will be able to inform all
voters about your priorities regardless of whether they have donated to your
campaign!
Regards
Andrew Doherty
Hi Andrew, you are certainly burning the midnight oil!(post at 1.55am! I'm
impressed even taking into account the time difference between here and
Queensland)
I take your points regarding the issue of financial support for campaigns. It
is a sensitive area, the “Hollow Men” being one example of pitfalls to be
avoided, and as the Labour Party discovered prior to the Phillip Field saga
(another issue surrounding political transparency), there is also the potential
for the alleged abuse of taxpayer funds by political parties in office – in
this case the funding of the PM’s pledge card.
However I think that there is an area where you may be missing the point. I am
not raising funds for a political party. Whether I was funded by Al Gore or
George Bush, a union or a corporate, as mayor I would still be only one vote on
the Council.
Thus I can offer the comfort that I am not seeking funding for a political
group that itself seeks, for example, to dominate the council and to push
through its own pre-determined policies. In fact I find that approach out of
date, and out of step, with both the new Act of Parliament that controls local
government and real needs of Christchurch residents.
The inevitable reality is I will probably receive donations from a mix of
people from across the political and social spectrums. One will be me. Some
will be friends and family, some will know me from my 14 years in Local
Government and believe I will do a good job. Others will feel, as I do, that a
mayoral candidate that is not beholding to a party political machine may in
fact be in the best interests of our City.
If voters want “clues about the thinking of candidates” then they simply have
to ask.
You also wrote:
“I very much hope that as one of the leading candidates for mayor you will be
able to inform all voters about your priorities regardless of whether they have
donated to your campaign! “
I completely agree, and surely this is the point of a campaign is it not?
I will soon have a web-site up and running, and will use a number of other
media to further inform people of my values and priorities. This discussion
itself is part of that open approach.
Many thanks for your considered thoughts,
Bob Parker.
In the light of openness should the voting records of Councillors be published
in the minutes of meetings on the council website?
Hi Paul,
That sounds like a great idea, particularly if accessible through the website.
What may make the information even more digestible would be if they were
published not within lengthy minutes, but perhaps in a table format with each
councillor and each issue mentioned,
Kind regards,
Sue
I think that's a marvellous idea, Paul, especially if it was easily
browsable, e.g.:
- a list of decisions (or whatever the term is) with links to who voted what
- a list of councillors with links to a list of votes they've made on
the above decisions
Cheers, Andrew.
Paul Sutherland wrote:
> In the light of openness should the voting records of Councillors be
published in the minutes of meetings on the council website?
Hi Paul,
You asked:
"In the light of openness should the voting records of Councillors be published
in the minutes of meetings on the council website?"
The answer is, we already do show that. Just check the minutes. Unless the vote
is unanimous, the record shows how individual Councillors voted if a division
is called, or if someone asks for their vote in particular to be recorded
either as an abstension or as opposed.
Thanks to all those who took part in the discussion with me over the last week,
I enjoyed it. I would have liked to post more but there is a limit of two
postings a day on the forum.
To Dan Randow and the team, thanks for the opportunity and for maintaining this
excellent forum for discussion. I will continue to watch, and where appropriate
post.
Best regards,
Bob Parker.
Thanks, Bob. It was great to have you posting so actively here for the
last week. I look forward to hearing from you again in the forum.
Folks, the next Guest Speaker scheduled is Megan Woods from the 24th to
the 30th of July.
Hi Folks, I am pleased to announce a schedule of eleven Guest Speakers in the forum over the coming months. We have one MP, five Environment Canterbury Councillors, three Christchurch City Councillors, a Mayoral candidate and a City Council candidate. Details are below. There are still a few slots left before the local government elections on 13 October, and plenty afterwards, so if you are a public figure interested in being a Guest Speaker, then please let me know. cheers Dan . . . . . GUEST SPEAKER SCHEDULE Tue 3 Jul to Mon 9 Jul: Sally Buck Christchurch City Councillor – Fendalton/Waimairi Ward http://www.ccc.govt.nz/Council/CommunityBoards/FendaltonWaimairi/#SallyBuck Tue 10 Jul to Mon 16 Jul: Tim Barnett MP for Christchurch Central http://www.timbarnett.org.nz/ Tue 17 Jul to Mon 23 Jul: Alec Neill Environment Canterbury Councillor, Christchurch West http://www.ecan.govt.nz/About+Us/Council+Info/Councillors/AlecNeill.htm Tue 24 Jul to Mon 30 Jul: Megan Woods Christchurch Mayoral Candidate http://www.megan4mayor.com/ Tue 31 Jul to Mon 6 Aug: Richard Budd Environment Canterbury Councillor, Christchurch East http://www.ecan.govt.nz/About+Us/Council+Info/Councillors/Richard-Budd.htm Tue 7 Aug to Mon 13 Aug: Bob Shearing Christchurch City Councillor – Riccarton/Wigram Ward http://www.ccc.govt.nz/Council/CommunityBoards/RiccartonWigram/#BobShearing Tue 14 Aug to Mon 20 Aug: Bob Kirk Environment Canterbury Councillor, Christchurch South http://www.ecan.govt.nz/About+Us/Council+Info/Councillors/Bob+Kirk.htm Tue 21 Aug to Mon 27 Aug: June Slee Environment Canterbury Councillor, Waitaki Constituency http://www.ecan.govt.nz/About+Us/Council+Info/Councillors/June+Slee.htm Tue 28 Aug to Mon 3 Sep: Bill Woods Environment Canterbury Councillor, Selwyn and Banks Peninsula http://www.ecan.govt.nz/About+Us/Council+Info/Councillors/Bill+Woods.htm Tue 11 Sep to Mon 17 Sep: Matt Morris Christchurch City Council Candidate http://www.myspace.com/matt_morris Tue 2 Oct to Mon 8 Oct: Sue Wells Christchurch City Councillor - Spreydon/Heathcote Ward http://www.ccc.govt.nz/Council/CommunityBoards/SpreydonHeathcote/#SueWells
please remove me from this e.mail list as i find the no of e.mails
overwhelming!
cheers, Ann Charlotte
Thank you for the opportunity to be part of this forum.
I grew up in Christchurch – we lived in North Beach and New Brighton. Later I
graduated from Canterbury University with a Masters degree in Education and
also qualified as a teacher and speech/language therapist. It was in this area
that I worked, for a few years before becoming an early intervention teacher
and advisor. Later I became a lecturer in special needs and after that worked
as an employment consultant. Then I was employed as an ESOL teacher for adult
new migrants for 5 years before I stood for Council.
My husband and I were married in 1977 and we lived in Auckland for about 6
years but came back to Christchurch in 1983. We have four adult children -
three sons and a daughter. We currently live in the Burnside area.
In 1998 I stood for Council as an independent and was elected to represent the
Waimairi ward. In 2004 the wards were amalgamated so I now represent the
Fendalton-Waimairi ward. I have no political party affiliations. This is my
third term as a councillor.
In Council my interests are many and varied - the environment, sustainability,
energy, waste, recycling, sewerage and drainage, water reticulation, planning
and public transport.
I have been a strong advocate for waste minimisation and cleaning up our
environment especially the water-ways. My voting record shows I have
consistently voted for sustainable projects and policies. I support cycle ways
and better public transport.
Although I can usually see other peoples point of view I find it very hard to
compromise my views on issues which will have long term effects for
Christchurch such as our future drinking water supply. I have not supported the
Central Plains Water Scheme and I will do a separate posting on this issue
under topics.
I also take a keen interest in planning as I believe we have not had any town
planning in New Zealand for at least 15 years and the effects of this are
showing with 2-3 storey poorly designed ‘sausage flats’ all in a line on long
narrow sections. The areas in which these are predominant will be the slums of
the future.
Recently I initiated a sustainability working party which will have input into
the
development of a Sustainability Policy which will help Council meet its legal
requirements under the LGA 2002 in terms of taking a “sustainable development
approach” (Part 2, Section 14) and in considering present and future, social,
environmental and economic wellbeing etc (Part 2, Section 10). I hope that
people who have knowledge on climate change and sustainability and wish to be
involved in this working party will contact me so we can involve these people.
I have enjoyed reading the postings on this forum and am looking forward to
hearing from you about the issues that you see as the most pressing for our
city.
Sally
Thank you for your contributions over the past week as Guest Speaker, Sally Buck, especially on the "Central Plains Water Scheme" http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/post/42XVsxND8Cu6NQcjfB49F6 and "Standing for Local Bodies in Canterbury". http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/post/3Nr5DnxB50TSuGFf1zpNTQ I am sure that neither of these topics will go away, and I hope you will stay around to participate in the conversations. Our Guest Speaker for the next week, starting tomorrow, is Tim Barnett, MP for Christchurch Central. Welcome aboard, Tim and thank you for your introduction. http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/post/7l1ocCV4ZqZqdWh9oTnX49
Thank you, Tim Barnett http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/post/7l1ocCV4ZqZqdWh9oTnX49 for being with us this week as Guest Speaker. If you have any further comments on the topics you have contributed to, Who should be the new Mayor of Christchurch? http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/4n03uZQd2ACEfKexMXjDFw The Mayoralty - the issues http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/7Ht7USBY4K7Td4hOGrYnPU the Role of Christchurch as a "Peace City" http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/79I69wKZwCuBuhmc8Ks3nQ please feel free to make them. I hope that you will stay in the forum, and continue to participate in the conversations. Welcome aboard, Alec Neill, Guest Speaker for the next week. Thank you for your introduction, http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/post/47VO8b7xNumwqfyUto1C1j and for agreeing to open up conversations about Environment Canterbury.
Alec, you have set the bar for being prolifically thoughtful and responsive as Guest Speaker. Thank you for the enthusiasm with which you have participated this last week. I hope that you will stay in the forum. Welcome, Megan Woods, as Guest Speaker until 30 July, and thank you for your introduction http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/post/5rq2zUHhT14KlvyqyOttQB and for opening a topic on engagement. http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/1jIJXHwt4PMAOHhB1yisUZ Below is an update to the Guest Speaker schedule, with three new Guest Speakers: Eugenie Sage, Lianne Dalziel and Colin King. cheers Dan . . . . . GUEST SPEAKER SCHEDULE Tue 31 Jul to Mon 6 Aug: Richard Budd Environment Canterbury Councillor, Christchurch East http://www.ecan.govt.nz/About+Us/Council+Info/Councillors/Richard-Budd.htm Tue 7 Aug to Mon 13 Aug: Bob Shearing Christchurch City Councillor – Riccarton/Wigram Ward http://www.ccc.govt.nz/Council/CommunityBoards/RiccartonWigram/#BobShearing Tue 14 Aug to Mon 20 Aug: Bob Kirk Environment Canterbury Councillor, Christchurch South http://www.ecan.govt.nz/About+Us/Council+Info/Councillors/Bob+Kirk.htm Tue 21 Aug to Mon 27 Aug: June Slee Environment Canterbury Councillor, Waitaki Constituency http://www.ecan.govt.nz/About+Us/Council+Info/Councillors/June+Slee.htm Tue 28 Aug to Mon 3 Sep: Bill Woods Environment Canterbury Councillor, Selwyn and Banks Peninsula http://www.ecan.govt.nz/About+Us/Council+Info/Councillors/Bill+Woods.htm NEW: Tue 4 Sep to Mon 10 Sep: Eugenie Sage Environment Canterbury Candidate for Selwyn/Banks Peninsula Tue 11 Sep to Mon 17 Sep: Matt Morris Christchurch City Council Candidate http://www.myspace.com/matt_morris Tue 18 Sep to Mon 24 Sep [still vacant] Tue 2 Oct to Mon 8 Oct: Sue Wells Christchurch City Councillor - Spreydon/Heathcote Ward http://www.ccc.govt.nz/Council/CommunityBoards/SpreydonHeathcote/#SueWells NEW: Tue 9 Oct to Mon 15 Oct: Lianne Dalziel MP for Christchurch East, Minister of Commerce, Minister of Women's Affairs and Minister for Small Business http://www.beehive.govt.nz/Minister.aspx?MinisterID=21 NEW: Tue 16 Oct to Mon 22 Oct: Colin King MP for Kaikoura http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/MPP/MPs/MPs/c/2/b/48MP127411-King-Colin.htm
Thank you, Megan Woods for your contribution as Guest Speaker this week. Thank you, too, for your words of support for the forum and for adding a link to it from your website. I hope you will stay on in the forum. By the way, here is a link to all the posts made in this forum by Megan Woods. http://forums.e-democracy.org/s/index.html?s=&g=canterburyissues&a=meganwoods&t=0&p=1&f=0&r=0&i=0&l=6 and a web feed of the same. http://forums.e-democracy.org/s/search.atom?s=&g=canterburyissues&a=meganwoods&t=0&p=1&f=0&r=0&i=0&l=6 And welcome aboard, Richard Budd, as Guest Speaker for the next week. Thanks for your intro, http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/post/25l9tR7WuxZrZlDKP9YgjT Richard.
Thank you Richard Budd for your contribution as Guest Speaker, http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/post/25l9tR7WuxZrZlDKP9YgjT and welcome aboard, Bob Shearing, as Guest Speaker for the next week. Below is an update to the Guest Speaker schedule, with two new speakers. cheers Dan . . . . . GUEST SPEAKER SCHEDULE Tue 7 Aug to Mon 13 Aug: Bob Shearing Christchurch City Councillor – Riccarton/Wigram Ward http://www.ccc.govt.nz/Council/CommunityBoards/RiccartonWigram/#BobShearing Tue 14 Aug to Mon 20 Aug: Bob Kirk Environment Canterbury Councillor, Christchurch South http://www.ecan.govt.nz/About+Us/Council+Info/Councillors/Bob+Kirk.htm Tue 21 Aug to Mon 27 Aug: June Slee Environment Canterbury Councillor, Waitaki Constituency http://www.ecan.govt.nz/About+Us/Council+Info/Councillors/June+Slee.htm Tue 28 Aug to Mon 3 Sep: Bill Woods Environment Canterbury Councillor, Selwyn and Banks Peninsula http://www.ecan.govt.nz/About+Us/Council+Info/Councillors/Bill+Woods.htm Tue 4 Sep to Mon 10 Sep: Eugenie Sage Environment Canterbury Candidate for Selwyn/Banks Peninsula Tue 11 Sep to Mon 17 Sep: Matt Morris Christchurch City Council Candidate http://www.myspace.com/matt_morris NEW: Tue 18 Sep to Mon 24 Sep Michael Campbell Environment Canterbury Candidate for Christchurch East NEW: Tue 25 Sep to Mon 1 Oct Jane Demeter Environment Canterbury Candidate for Christchurch North Tue 2 Oct to Mon 8 Oct: Sue Wells Christchurch City Councillor - Spreydon/Heathcote Ward http://www.ccc.govt.nz/Council/CommunityBoards/SpreydonHeathcote/#SueWells Tue 9 Oct to Mon 15 Oct: Lianne Dalziel MP for Christchurch East, Minister of Commerce, Minister of Women's Affairs and Minister for Small Business http://www.beehive.govt.nz/Minister.aspx?MinisterID=21 Tue 16 Oct to Mon 22 Oct: Colin King MP for Kaikoura http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/MPP/MPs/MPs/c/2/b/48MP127411-King-Colin.htm
Many thanks, Bob Shearing for your posts http://forums.e-democracy.org/s/index.html?s=&g=canterburyissues&a=bobshearing&t=0&p=1&f=0&r=0&i=0&l=6 in the forum this last week as Guest Speaker. Bob, I hope you will stay in the forum. Welcome aboard, Bob Kirk, and thank you for your introduction. http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/post/6BGfPTjturo8Sk6fXiatWY I am impressed by the time that Guest Speakers take to read and respond to discussion in this forum. I think a high standard has been set. Whether or you not you agree with what is being said, community engagement is occurring, on this side of the election at least. My thanks to all of the Guest Speaker, and to the other forum participants who ask hard questions and engage with the Guest Speakers.
The guest speakers are needed to encourage honest debate and to help the voters
decide .
Thank you, Bob Kirk, for your contribution this last week as Guest Speaker. Bob, you and the other Guest Speakers have made a significant contribution to the steady increase in the number of posts, and number of people posting to this forum. http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/canterburyissues/stats.html This week's Guest Speaker, June Slee, has withdrawn, so we have a week off Guest Speakers until Tuesday 28 August, when Bill Woods starts his week.
Dear Dan, I see that June Slee has pulled out. I would welcome the opportunity to take her place if this is possible please? Best wishes Helen McLeod Business Development Manager Medlab South Ltd Standing for ECAN and Canterbury DHBPh. (03) 363 0824 Mob. 027 5622 772
Helen, we're going to have a week off Guest Speakers, but please open whatever
topics, and invite whatever responses you wish.
Dan
Every Man and His Dog runs for Mayor. While Guest Speakers are off the agenda, it is probably a good time to announce that this day, 24th August I did register my candidacy for Mayor of Christchurch. Now I know for some that is no news at all as the mayoral race starts to look more like an 'every man and his dog' race, I earnestly hope that the 'meatspace' media give some equity to all the good candidates and stop pretending this is the 'Megan and Bob Show'. I am the only Mayoral Candidate being sponsored by a dog. Yes, 'Holmes' who featured on the front page of the PRESS (May 2006) for catching a 'drug' burglar flogging tobacco from the Wainoni Dairy (opp Porritt Park) has, (in the interests of full disclosure) contributed to the BlairForMayor election deposit. Mayor Blair was heard to say in the Cashel Mall on announcing the formal intention to run for the golden chains, that it was "a logical and mutual association to receive such support". Anderson went on to say "The metaphor of the marginalised dog kept behind high fences and on short leads is the root of a great deal of the social dysfunction across all of New Zealand, no less so in Christchurch." When Central Government makes the rules, it is often the local bodies who have to pick up the tab and are expected to implement the policy. As first candidate sponsored by a dog, I declare my vested interests in community dog policy and announce that "as Mayor" I would move to make the government mandated 'id chips' a life time dog registration. "What does it cost to keep a name on a list, GOOGLE would do it for free!" Further as Mayoral Candidate I noted that I didn't even have to give up my birthdate to run for Mayor, and further too note that along with my offer of giving three years of 'civic duty' to my city, my dog registration would be 150% of what it costs to be a mayoral candidate. Whats wrong with this picture? Dog fees have escalated to a revenue gathering tax that on evidence has done little or nothing to prevent serious canine behaviours and continuing bite tragedies. The media moral panic and subsequent baying for blood and inevitably calls for more rules (school children now want ALL dogs muzzled) fail to notice that 600,000 plus dogs in New Zealand didn't bite anyone today. Lifetime licenses for micro-chipped dogs? Why not? We maintain our Electoral Roles via Internet, why can't we be trusted to do the same for our dogs. We need more socialised dogs. That's a start. More on my campaign can be seen at "Smart City, Clever People" http://blairformayor.blogspot.com/2007/08/smart-city-clever-people.html competing interests: http://doglinks.co.nz Blair Anderson
Unfortunately, this is another quiet week in the Guest Speaker programme. This week's speaker, Bill Woods, has joined the forum, and completed his profile 9you need to be logged in to see profiles) http://forums.e-democracy.org/contacts/billwoods/ but I haven't heard anything else from him, despite my efforts to make contact. If you're reading this, Bill, it's your week until Monday, and it would be great to hear from you. If anyone has a particular question to ask of Bill, I suggest you ask it the forum anyway. Perhaps that will prompt Bill to make a debut. In fact, if you have a question of any local public figure, whether they're in the forum or not, why not ask it. Let's see if they hear about it and join the forum to respond.
Hi there, sorry I am late with this but I have been busy and it takes a
phillidelphia lawyer to understand the process to even get this far. I am not
too sure if it was purposely designed to keep simple country guys like me out,
but here I am.
By reading the previous stuff there are two, no three topics I want to comment
on. The first is the protection of the Christchurch Ground Water. The second
Central Plains Water And the third is ECan itself and that is the most
important of so I will leave it to last.
There is no doubt about it, you read some tripe on mediums such as these and
the protection of the Christchurch ground water is a prime example.
Alec Neill and the rest of us rural councillors have been accused of preventing
variation 3 from proceeding and subsequently costing thousands of dollrs to
produce variation 6.
to put it mildly that is a load of "CRAP". Variation was masterminded by the
staff (and followed blindly by the 2021 councillors) solely to reinforce Ecan's
case in the Environment Court. Variation was illresearched and ignored the case
put forward by the scientists of the applicant, which proved to be right and
failed to recognise that there were examples of Ecan's oen doing that were far
worse in poluting the grounwater than the Yaldhurst Masham block. (these
examples will be revealed in due course.
I went to the manager about variation 3 and confronted him about the
suripticious way that this variation was being put in front of councillors,
telling him their only reason for this process was to reinforce the case for
ECan in the Environment Court. His reply was we will win the case without the
variation. My reply was well go and win the bastard and then proceed with the
variation and you will get my support.
The variation failed and the court case was dropped yet it was supposed to be
"Water Tight" pun intended.
If you believe that Alec Neill Nicky Wagner and the Rural councillors preventd
the protection of Christchurch's ground water you will believe any thing!
Thank you, Bill Woods, for your contribution as Guest Speaker, http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/post/jeww0SDVPTTzFDK7JZv18 and welcome to your week as Guest Speaker, Eugenie Sage. Our programme of Guest Speakers hasn't changed since I last posted it. http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/post/uE16kRHRJ12FPl3woqpqm Strangely, there has not been a crush for the slots after 22 October. I plan to continue t