Local Council Elections - Some Thoughts... (Read 1,495 times)

[theycallmewade]

Local council elections are ramping up across the country, although they tend to be a bit of a non event as far as people taking the time to vote - turn out and voting numbers are notoriously low, but people are elected non the less.

Over the last few years there have been a number of speedway clubs and organisations needing to engage with their local and regional council representatives and elected members. Often when an issue or risk to continuity comes up - we have seen this play out in Auckland for a long time, but also more recently in Nelson. It is perhaps only a matter of time before other clubs across the country find themselves in similar situations.

I think you know where I am going with this, so I will cut a long story short.

Do we, as a speedway community of competitors, families, related businesses and fans, know who the poeple standing for election are? And more importantly, do they know us?

In the smaller local elections, even within large centres, your club's local represntation can be decided by as little as 200 - 300 votes. It is the local representatives that are your club's voice at a regional level where decisons on funding, lease renewals and support are made.

Who ever is elected on October 8 will be your voice for the next three years whether you like what they say or not. It is definitely worth finding out who understands the value of speedway to their community and local economy and who knows who you are, what you do and what you need.

Voting opens on 16 September and closes on October 8. It only takes 10 minutes to tick the boxes and send in.

Worth thinking about.

[magilla]

those in Auckland, Craig Lord is speedway supporter

[midway]

Well by now i may of thought the clubs would of shown more interest in the local council election and held a night ,where you get these candidates standing to voice there views in front of its members ,rather than just sit on the fence and wait who is elected .
Speedway does have a voice ,but if it is not heard ,youve only got yourselves to blame and that could be all over with a stroke of a pen by candidates that live in your council zones ..

[John W.]

Hello Theycallmewade,

Do you know who supports speedway in the Mangakiekie ward?

[theycallmewade]

John,

From dealing with the Maungakiekie Tamaki Local Board over the last 8 years, I can say the current Maungakiekie team are very supportive and really want to see Waikaraka Park upgraded. They have been in for two terms (6 years) and that is the time we have accomplished the most with them. If they get re-elected (and they manage to get some colleagues in Tamaki or even Ward Councillor) then the next 3 years should see some real go forward.

The Maungakiekie Team are Debbie Burrows, Don Allan & Tony Woodcock and they are all from Communities & Residents. Thier candidate for Ward councillor is Troy Elliot (has driven circuit cars on the Gold Coast) and they have 4 colleagues standing for election on the Tamaki side.

Rosebank Road is in the Whau Ward, and I don't know their local board, but perhaps the Speedway Riders Club or Kartsport guys may know who supports them in that Ward.

Colin Dale Park and Western Springs are both under Regional Control so the local boards in those areas don't set budgets or make decisions for those motorsport places. Thats happens at the ward councillor level.

[rayray]

Got to vote for the best person in Auckalnd to keep SPEEDWAY, OPEN WHEEL RACING at WESTERN SPRINGS.