Suzanne Williams

At this time, every three years, we are besieged with faces and personalities, intentions and priorities, when the local body elections come around.

Most of us seize the opportunity to have a good moan about rates, unnecessary projects, and nasty or unsatisfactory candidates.

But do we ever think that these people may start out with the best of motives, with an urge to work in the public arena to help decide with others what can be worked out as a consensus for the public good, and to set priorities?  

And that most of them (we feel) are hard-working, good people and deserve recognition for at least “having a go” (though, maybe a few are a bit misguided?) as opposed to the rest of us who sit back, do nothing, and have a good moan?

Grey Power Whakatāne is holding a candidates’ meeting on September 17 at 10am in the Knox Presbyterian Church auditorium, primarily for our members, but also open to the public.

It will take a full two hours and will be followed by a simple “cuppa”, if you wish to stay.  

The speakers will be candidates for the EBOP Regional Council including the Māori Ward, and councillors for the Whakatane/Ohope Ward and the Kapu te rangi Māori ward; a total of 17 candidates, who will be asked the same three questions to be answered briefly, followed by a few questions from the floor, and the “mix & mingle”.

As you may know, our present mayor is also our president; he has therefore recused himself from any organisation of and participation in this meeting, although we have not included mayoral candidates in it.

All are welcome to this fun event.