The cost of promises

Voting has started in this years local body elections. After a week and a bit slightly over 20% of those eligible will have made their choice of representatives. If the trend of past elections is followed, this will have increased to a little over 40%. by the October 9th when all votes must be in.

Having opened my own orange envelope a can't help but feel one of the inhibiting issues keeping the vote down, is the complication of the system used for electing our Health Board.

It's hard enough finding candidates to support, without having to rank them as well. Of course it's a legacy of the Helen Clarke government and I think from a voting point of view we were lucky she ceased to reign, otherwise the system might have been added to all our ballet sheets.

Its likely some voters get through the mayoral section, find some councillors including the regional councillors, then are stumped by the health vote. Its human nature not to want to reveal a failure so perhaps these ballot papers are simply discarded. Certainly I have come across one voter who simply ticked those she wanted, not realising they also had to be ranked.

We all tend to try and influence others to vote the same way we do, but some go a little further. A large sign on St Aubins St in Hastings warning people “Our rivers are polluted” is a thinly disguised attempt to influence voters. Some who clearly feel it is aimed at them, have reacted in defense but have simply drawn attention to themselves and the message.

There have also been a series of candidate surveys that are possibly more interested in influencing attitudes, rather than finding out what candidates think. For example I was recently asked about fluoridation. I think its good but made it clear the community has a right to decide otherwise.

Quite a few candidates claim to be committed to sustainability or the environment. I always always look at the way they run their own lives because often this suggest unsustainable or anti environmental actions. For instance what sort of vehicle do they drive. I know of one lady who proudly urged people to vote green at the last general election with a huge sign in her garden, but had one of the smokiest home fires around.

Recently I was asked to fill in a questioner by our local newspaper. Questions related to the sports park, rejuvenating main street and amalgamation. There was no requirement to indicate costs and perhaps this should have been included.

One candidate wanted a light rail system connecting Napier and Hastings. Having watched near empty buses travelling between the city centres I am not at all convinced of the viability of such a proposal and believe the running costs would be horrendous. Not a problem of course because the candidate in question has no chance of winning and will probably loose his deposit for failing to reach the 10% threshold – again.

The Mayor wanted a first class hotel in the middle of Hastings to compliment the Opera House. Most people I know in the hospitality industry think it is a pipe dream but if a developer is willing to put up the money I have no problem, however I do worry about the likely cost to ratepayers of any concessions that might be made. Napier had a similar ambition a decade ago and went as far as buying up the wool exchange then demolishing it to make way for Te Pania. The developer went bust.

The Hastings Mayor apparently also wants an Olympic size swimming at the sports park on top of the velodrome and 3rd stage main building. The cost of all these could be nearly $50 million and it is hard to see rate payers wearing it.

I was very much more modest, suggesting more foot patrols by police, and affordable parking plus a few other improvements. I also suggested the one million dollars or so the council proposes to spend on widening footpaths, reducing the road width and reducing car parking spaces is a waste of money and is not wanted by retailers.

Because it is possible I might be elected Mayor I am determined not to promise more than I think can be delivered. It is better to be truthful about ones views

Candidates use a wide variety of measures to attract your attention , and vote. It also can take up a lot of time. Bill boards, fliers, meetings, newspaper, radio and even TV advertising, are all part of the mix I have used. Its all quite expensive and it is the candidates who put up the money. Only for the winners is it tax deductible.

Eventually however it is up to the voters to make some effort to find out what each candidate has to offer. If you don't then you have only yourselves to blame when you become unhappy with the outcome over the next three years.