There will be change

New laws enacted last year will have a significant impact on the operation of local government after this years local body elections. In particular, the powers of the mayor will dramatically change.

After this years local body election,  mayors will gain new powers . A mayor will be able to appoint their own deputy mayor, determine the structure of council committees, and appoint all committee chairs, as well as councilors to those committees. Thus, under the new rules, all decisions of the council will be directly influenced by the mayor.

At present, mayor’s do not have these powers. Rather, the mayor is only one vote, amongst the many votes of councilors, and has little influence over the directions of council.

Some might suggest that the old rules were more democratic. The drive for change appears to have been brought about by the governments desire to ensure councils are more decisive. Democracy is a messy business. Dictatorships are not (well, except at the end).

Under these new rules, a competent  mayor will have a greater likelihood of successfully implementing their own policies and vision. This means the election promises of mayoral candidates will have a greater chance of being implemented. Equally, elected councilors are less likely to have their own election promises implemented if they do not have the support of the mayor.

The election of the mayor is now more important than ever before. So, cast your vote carefully.

Jockeying for position

What an extraordinarily interesting mayoral race Wellington can expect to watch over the coming months.

On the right, close to the curb, is Cr John Morrison. A Jockey who can wax lyrically with the best of them and has been quick to take advantage of some recent good press. On the the green fringes is the current Mayor Celia Wade-Brown. And between them is Jack Yan.

Where Jack Yan eventually positions himself will be very interesting to watch. Does he court the right or does he court the left. Will he again seek former Mayor Sir Michael Fowler’s endorsement, or does he look to take the ‘sensible’ middle ground and seek MP Peter Dunne’s endorsement. Perhaps he will seek both?

Cr Morrison clearly sees himself as former Mayor Kerry Prendergast’s ideological replacement. And no doubt will seek to take her supporters along for his ride. But is Cr Morrison brave enough to seek Prendergast’s endorsement? And is it a ride her supporter’s would naturally want to place a bet on. Whether Mayor Wade-Brown lays down the challenge to Cr Morrison to not stand for council as well, will be interesting to watch. How confident is Cr Morrison of winning? Or is he a bob-each-way man? History (over the Basin Reserve fly-over) suggests he’s a bob-each-way man. At least Mayor Wade-Brown had the guts to commit to her mayoral campaign.

All of these political jostling’s pose an interesting political dilemma for Jack Yan’s campaign. 

I am a believer

There I said it. I believe in the value and worth of local public libraries. And others do to. “Libraries are the heart and soul of communities.” (Scoop).  I could not agree more with this sentiment. In fact I’ve said it many times before.

So where are the voices that spoke so loudly at the last local body elections about keeping our local libraries open. A deftly silence pervades.

Recently a meeting was held in Brooklyn, at St Bernard’s School Hall, concerning the local public library. At that meeting Cr Lester acknowledged that any decision concerning our public libraries was at the end of the day a political one. Put another way, it’s for the councilors as your representatives to decide how funds are spent. I might add that it’s also a political decision how those funds are raised.

Actions often speak louder than words. A much often quoted proverb from our courts when it comes to determining the intentions of people. And over the last three years, there has been an absence of any action in saving out local public libraries. Rather we have seen a growing trend towards closing them down. And an absence of any action from our councilors against this trend.

So what can be done? Well, a new coalition has been formed to campaign against library cuts across the Wellington region. If you are passionate about our public libraries, get involved. Even if it’s just joining OWL’s Facebook page.
Coalition formed to fight cuts to services, hours and jobs at Wellington libraries http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=56142
OWL (Owners of Wellington Library) http://www.facebook.com/pages/OWL-Owners-of-Wellington-Library-Protect-our-public-libraries/133140710046181