Balclutha reporter Helena de Reus profiles the four candidates for Bruce ward councillor and posed these questions to each candidate:
Q: Why are you standing for Bruce ward councillor?
Q: What is important about the council?
Q: What are your interests or community involvement?
Four people are standing in a by-election for the position of Bruce ward councillor for the Clutha District Council: Jeannine Basquin, Lesley Keach, Douglas Keen and Joanna Lowrey will all stand for election.
Postal voting opens on Wednesday and closes at noon on Friday, February 10.
Former Bruce ward councillor Bruce McCorkindale resigned in October, saying he could no longer serve on the council, because of his new role as an agri manager at the National Bank.
Under local government law, the council must conduct a by-election to fill the vacancy, because it occurred more than 12 months before the next local elections, due in October 2013.
Bruce ward residents who are not on the electoral roll for the by-election can enrol at any NZ Post Shop until noon on Thursday, February 9.
Bruce ratepayers who live outside the area and who are not on the roll can enrol at the council office by the same date.
There are 2721 registered electors in the Bruce ward, which covers Clutha from Titri in the north to Lovells Flat in the south. The area includes Milton and Waihola townships and popular holiday spots Toko Mouth and Taieri Mouth.
The elected representative will join Crs Bruce Vollweiler and Gaynor Finch as Bruce ward representatives.
Occupation: Farmer
Township: Taieri Beach
A: I heard the seat was vacant and thought I would try it out. It is a great way to get to know other communities and their organisations in the Bruce ward.
A: It is about representing all the communities in the Bruce ward. I think the main thing I would like to do if elected is to listen to what the different communities and people are most concerned about. Ask them and then really listen to their answers.
A: I am very interested in an holistic approach to the healing of mind, body and soul. I have had women's retreats here at the farm and would like to organise more of those. I have organised the Health and Spirit Festival in the Octagon and also the Dunedin Psychic Fair - both for the past three years. I am also the president of the Taieri Mouth Amenities Society.
Occupation: Part-time teacher
Township: Waihola
A: I am interested in the Clutha district - particularly the Bruce ward area. It would be nice to have representation from this end of the ward from Waihola and Taieri Mouth. As I grew up, people provided me with opportunities and I want to see that continue for others, and I want to see our communities progress.
A: Each councillor is only one of a team. You have to look at issues faced by the community and make a decision based on all the information for what is best for the district.
A: Over the years I have been involved with community sports groups, serving a term as president for South Otago Netball, and many terms as secretary. As a teacher, I have a lifelong interest in people.
Occupation: Part-time consultant
Township: Milton
A: There are some things that need to get done around the place and I want to represent the community. Footpaths are a big issue for many people in the Bruce ward, just look at the gravel paths down my street in Milton.
A: The council is important as the central point of infrastructure in the district. It's the political structure for local body politicians. It is important to have the whole district represented and I am very interested in the Bruce ward.
A: I am the president of the South Otago Community Committee for the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind. I am passionate about charities and I do not get my blindness get in the way of anything. I am completely blind in one eye, and have 5% vision in the other, but I have ways of working around it.
Occupation: Owner of Garvan Boutique Hotel and Restaurant near Lovells Flat.
Township: Milton/Lovells Flat
A: I have the passion, energy and enthusiasm to support the success of our community and district. It is a great place for us and I will work hard to keep it that way for future generations.I have lived in the Clutha District for eight years and, having grown up on a sheep and cattle farm, I have a passion for rural New Zealand and the importance for rural communities to remain sustainable.
A: I see the role as that of providing a platform for community leverage and a mechanism for informed decision making through effective consultation.
A: I have been a board member on the Clutha District Development Board since 2005, and I am a trustee at Milton Primary School and remain active in a variety of community groups and fundraising activities.
