Jacoby Poulain qualified as a Lawyer, intends to bring about justice, development and advancement to the people of Flaxmere by standing for election as a Hastings District Councillor for the Flaxmere Ward.

In order to advance issues at the council round table, Jacoby believes it's vital that Flaxmere is represented by a professional Councillor who is familiar not only with the issues and the area, but also with legal, government and council process.  She understands experientially the issues of Flaxmere, having lived in Flaxmere for 26 years, with the exception of five years undergoing professional legal training.  She is experienced in government and council environments, working recently for the Ministry of Justice and serving as a Chair and Youth Advocate speaking up for young people on Hastings District Council and Police forums.

Jacoby ticks the boxes, and would be honoured if you do too.

Top 5 Issues

1. NUMBER 1 - MY ISSUES ARE YOUR ISSUES!
   I have no interest in pursuing my own sole cause or agenda but, rather, offer myself as a tool or conduit which you Flaxmere can use to advance your own. It's about we, not me.
   
   In saying that, from hearing the issues from many in the community and from experiencing many myself, some issues that deserve addressing, amongst others, are:
2. COMMUNITY SAFETY
   I serve as a representative on the Safe Hastings Advisory Forum run by the Hastings District Council and also the Heretaunga (Hastings) Police Maori Focus Forum - both forums designed with emphasis on devising crime and safety prevention strategies in our community.
3. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND ADVOCACY
   I serve as a Youth Advocate or representative in the community. So many awesome things are being done for our young people, but I believe that so much more can be done. I intend to continue speaking up for our young people.
4. CHILDREN AND FAMILY WELL-BEING
   Children and families are the lifeblood of our community. Flaxmere is a suburb full of beautiful families, young especially, that I believe deserve all the representation out there that they can get.
5. FACILITIES & SERVICES
   Urban (aka "village" area) development is on the table after years of hard tucker from Councillors pushing for our share. I intend to watch and push for this development so that it actually goes through and as according to the actual desires of the community of Flaxmere.
   Our senior community need their facilities developed and more people with the skills and desire to help them acheive progression - I would love to help with this.

Personal Profile

On a somewhat more personal note, though I intend to stand for all generations, one particular passion I do have is for our young people.  Young people, those aged 25 years and under, make up almost 35% of the population of Hawkes Bay - they make up 48% of the population of Flaxmere.  To me that's a huge poportion of our community that I believe needs and deserves hard and fast representation.  Our young people, your children and grandchildren, they need services, they need facilities, they need opportunity but most of all...they need representation.

I put my hand up to go first, to speak for our younger generation.  My ultimate vision though, is that young people themselves are raised and empowered to places of leadership and governance in our community - on our boards, on our committees, and on our councils.  That way they themselves will be able to directly influence and inform policy and decision-making in order to bring about positive outcomes for their own lives.  I believe that a positive effect in such a large proportion of Flaxmere can only but have a positive effect, or overflow, into Flaxmere as a whole.

I bring fresh new insight from a much needed youthful, yet professional, perspective.

I would greatly appreciate your support by way of vote to get me in to do the job.  Again, it's about we, not me.  Thank you Flaxmere.