Upper Hutt Local Body Elections

Jan from Ebdentown

THE MAYORALTY

Some of you may remember that I have been engaging with Mayor and Council since 2017 in relation to the changes made to our Library.
My opinions are based on actual, factual, events and personal experiences, all of which are documented and were explained at length in my posts on Neighbourly/Facebook from 2017 and if read should answer any questions as to why I feel the way I do.

You of course will have your own experiences and perspectives, at least I hope so!
Don't waste your time attacking me, I don't care and I won't reply or defend my point of view. This is a statement not an invitation to a conversation.

I am happy to see that we have at least three people standing for Mayor.
Nobody should stand unopposed in a dynamic and vibrant city which embraces community led development.

I am not at all interested in which political party any of candidates may vote for in a National election. I only care that they live in and have a passion for our city, and keep the oath they take to serve, represent, facilitate ratepayer engagement with council.

I am looking forward to a more diverse, younger, progressive, future thinking Mayor going forward, a person who respects ratepayers, is inclusive, open to change, who is creative and responsive to the fast changing climate, both figuratively and literally, who not only has a vision for now, but also a sense of the legacy that our younger citizens will inherit in their turn.

Firstly the Encumbent encumberance – Wayne Guppy, who has not yet shared his vision of Upper Hutt going forward, in which issues such as, recycling, safe drinking water, selling our water, transport, climate change etc are addressed, but tells us he is giving us more of the same old boy network, old school tie, tired old white men, in the box, backward thinking that have him and many of the males on current council thinking themselves superior and entitled, and worst of all exclusive and not accountable.

The Mayor gave me the direct impression that we ratepayers are a nuisance! That he need not represent us, but risk assess us and then turn it over to someone else in administration to fob off, in a condescending and patronising manner with the hope that they will wear you down and you will go away.
He then made it near to impossible for me to be represented in council by a councillor, interfering with my democratic right by telling the councillors not to engage with me.

He does not keep faith with the people who elect him, pay him, trust him.

Steve Taylor to his credit was the only councillor who replied to my first round of emails, he was however, patronising and condescending and only paying lip service. I was and still remain unimpressed.

Angela McLeod, Ros Conelley and Helen Swales responded to my second email requesting help and representation and I chose to deal with Angela going forward.

Angela McLeod
I have been impressed by her respect for the ratepayers and their many and varied concerns, impressed by her unfailing commitment to Upper Hutt, building on the historic family ties that root her in Upper Hutt heart and mind. I have been impressed that she finds the time and energy to attend as many community meetings as she does, while retaining her good humour.
Angela keeps the faith and keeps her oath to serve, represent and facilitate.

Angela and her husband as a couple are committed to Upper Hutt, running his business in Upper Hutt and investing directly in the future of Upper Hutt, purchasing the building where he has his business.

All my dealings with Angela have been straight forward and rewarding and she has earned my unqualified support as a Councillor and a future Mayor.