Mayoral Candidate Launches Grassroots Campaign

The Mayoral candidate endorsed by the Rotorua District Residents and Ratepayers (RDRR), Dr Reynold Macpherson, has decided to launch his election campaign with a two-month programme of community consultations across the Rotorua District.

“The public is invited to meet and share their concerns with a new Council team of endorsed candidates. Instead of repeating a vague vision, and promising even more frenetic implementation, our seven candidates will introduce themselves and then listen,” said Dr Macpherson.

Since it was formed from the Pro-Democracy Society in September 2015, the RDRR has challenged Council’s decision making and promised to restore democracy, the rule of law, financial responsibility and policy making power to elected representatives.

“The 20 most concerning issues at the moment are debt and spending, the Library/ Children’s Health Hub, unelected policy makers, the secrecy of Council, the CBD Cycleway, the dismissal of Cr. Searancke, parking, the Yellow Signs, the City Focus, the Christmas tree, buses, on-line voting, rural representation and roading, rates, the quality of Council consultations, Council marketing, antagonism with BOP Regional Council, portfolios, officials dominating policy making, and renaming public entities. We have preliminary ideas about how to resolve them but first we need to listen to the many different communities in our district,” said Dr Macpherson.

Community consultations have been planned in March for Mokoia, Linton Park, Western Heights, Rotoma Rotoehu, Tarawera, Okareka and East Rotorua. Meetings planned for early April include Mamaku, Reporoa, Rerewhakaaitu, and Ngakura and Waikite, with more to be organised and advertised in Rotorua itself.

Dr Macpherson [pictured right] said “We raised awareness through letters to editors, meetings, Yellow Signs and submissions. We now ask communities to imagine what they need in the way of more sensible local government. It’s time for a cup of tea.”

ENDS

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