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Steamed Up
Bryan Vinsen
I was going to do this last term, but it wasnt the right time. But then listening to people and going to a few local meetings I thought something is not right things need repairing, Bryan says. The self-confessed car freak has passed the American-automobile gene onto his four sons. Between them they own nine cars, including Bryans American Corvette and Trans-Am. He began his mechanics apprenticeship in Tokomaru with Lou ODonoghue. Five years later, he branched out on his own and has never looked back. He built the five-bedroom family home himself with wife Marie-anne, whom he met at Playcentre. Not as adults they were both preschoolers! After thirty-nine years of marriage, five children (including one daughter) and five grandchildren, Bryan is able to devote time and expertise to the community he loves. Its a reciprocal agreement. Getting out and listening to people, hes aware the Miranui has been ignored. They said they didnt vote because they hadnt seen anybody. You have to get out, meet people and visit. In characteristic hands-on approach, Bryan says infrastructure is the all-important thrust for the HDCs next term. He questions whether Shannons current upgrade will result in good water and requires a more satisfactory solution to the townships sewerage situation; other than pumping treated effluent ad infinitum onto farmland. It could have a limited life span. Bryan envisages extending the new water pipeline from Shannon to Tokomaru and even Foxton should be a relatively easy task. He says not all communities in the Miranui Ward share what he calls Shannons noisy nucleus. But they all need good representation in the Horowhenua District to be heard. ____________________________
Opinion!
Weve all got an opinion; even if its trying to ignore the political mail-outs and candidates parades leading up to a Local Authority election. The best hope is that we share in each others aspirations. But while ideologies are entitled to differ, there are a few fundamentals voters should insist in their Councillor or Mayor of choice: HDC Representatives are paid employees of the ratepayers, not vice versa. Any HDC Representative or member of staff who initiates or tolerates abuse, be it physical, emotional or verbal, has no place in this Local Authority. When was the last time you saw the incumbent Representative in the pre-election term, not just at candidates meetings? Ask him/her for their policies and how they can help your Ward. It is your choice not to vote. But at least with a tick you have earned the right to complain should things go wrong. Good voting!
Christine Toms 2 Page 6
20 September to 12 October.