My name is Kathleen Murphy I am seeking re-election for 2^nd term as Councillor for the Marton Ward on the Rangitikei District Council.

We have it all here we have to make the most  of it – improve and invigorate it for the residents who live here and attract more back to the district – it is a great place to live. When I stood in 2007 I had huge plans to change the council – shake it up and reinvent the town but it isn’t quite like that and I can really say I have  learnt a lot in my first 3 years, about protocol, policy, process, the Rangitikei and even more about Marton.

But I am still   very passionate on ensuring that we deliver quality services and efficient council practices and that we keep raising the standard, but being smart about it so it is cost effective with out a huge impact on the ratepayer.One of my achievements has been organising the Rangitikei District Council Scholarship for the Rangitikei College – this is scholarship that rewards an all round student to help with any kind of tertiary study.

Sport and recreation are vital for the health and community well-being of our district, the spin offs from a cycling event or Saturday morning rugby and hockey is many fold – we all know that and we need to keep it going that way. We have to keep our parks, reserves and pools going. We have to see people staying in the district to enjoy what we have here and we need to encourage more people to come and live by reducing barriers to new businesses and  homeowners.

I also would like engage the youth of our district and develop a youth council that will work alongside the full council, and their issues heard. So that like me they can go and return to a town and district that will have it all for them and their families.

My campaign is going along the I- line – I –deas: I-nvigorate; I-nvolve  and I see these has top issues for the town and district.

I know I can achieve even more at Council so we all will benefit and enjoy life in Marton and the Rangitikei so vote for me – Kathleen Murphy.

 

Top 5 Issues

1. I-deas:
   There are many fantastic ideas out there from many who think they have the right answer to problems they see the town struggling with – its these ideas that need to be heard – we have to engage with the community to hear them, work out if that’s the answer and together achieving them – partnerships are stronger when there is fresh ideas and passion.
   
2. I-nvolve
   And that’s the second string to the above – involve those passionate about their ideas – get them involved in the process – sometimes problems are solved without much but a discussion! We have lot of fantastic youth in the town and district – some many people are keen to dismiss the youth of today as rowdy and unappreciative but look around, in nearly every shop in Marton there is senior student from the local Rangitikei College working at an afterschool job – if they are that bad would our local businessmen and women be employing them – we have to give them a chance too!
   I would like to implement a Youth Council that will work alongside the full council so that
   a) they can bring the issues that they are concerned about to the notice of the full council and
   b) work woth the Coucnil to get what they need and for them to understand the process of achieving their goals.
   
3. I-nvigorate
   Lets invigorate what we have
   Breathe some life back into local events, sports clubs and parks – our local pool needs attention, many of our parks are tired – childrens playgrounds need bringing up to date. We have the spaces out there – lets get them active again!
   
4. Keep it local
   Maybe not an ‘I’ word but very important – keep people shopping locally, assist business – new and old to be able to function by reducing barriers that might hinder development like building consent processes, etc
   Continue to reduce barriers to homeownership and the building of new houses.
   Keep people playing sport locally – there is the local turf project going on – lets really get behind that and develop a sports hub that will keep the hundreds of kids and their parents leaving the district each weekend and week nights too – to play hockey. Upgrade the netball courts so we can get senior netball back here. We do that and we could encourage outside teams to come here for tournaments as well.
   
   
5. Rates
   Contentious issue – and for many the thing that will get a vote or not – we have to be real here as well!
   Small population base, capital value rating system, and yet we want everything!
   We are lucky in the Rangitikei that we have little debt and some surplus – maybe we should be re –addressing this? Maybe we should get into intergenerational debt a bit more spread the load over the next few generations as we improve the place – as we improve it for them too. These are the questions that really need answering – lets form a team and answer them.
   
   
   
   

Personal Profile

I moved to Marton when I was 8, Marton School then Rangitikei College followed then as soon as I could I like many of  my friends in the 1970s got out with out looking back – boy did we move fast! Nothing happening in Marton in Marton to keep us here – unless you wanted to work in shop or a factory so I  went nursing – over in Palmerston North and 4 years later boy did I move fast to get out of that place and went over see to the bright lights of London, Europe, Isarel, Morrocco, Australia – it was all happening but like many of us young ones we came back to NZ and suddenly appreciated what we had – it wasn’t as bright maybe but it was clean and under-populated and I had a job then I had husband – Paul – and then children - and yes I am in Marton again and have been since 1986! And we have had restructuring and recessions and there aren’t as many factories and businesses or shops  as there used to be (and not even late night shopping which for teenagers was the time to go to town). But its not all doom and gloom we have many  wonderful people in the town who really can get energy and vibrancy back here – and I believe I am one of them.

I now work as a Manager at the Rangitikei Active Centre, the home of the Marton Pool and Gym. it is agreat job as i really enjoy seeing people enjoying their leisure time and pursuing fitness and sporting goals. I am also passionate about triathlon, running, duathlons and with Rangitikei Active I have organsied many events for locals and out of towners to come and do - they range from the kids triathlons, half ironman, marthon, half marathons, duathlons, run and walk and biking  events - we have it all here for people to enjoy - so I make it happen!

I like to do things myself and have been in the New Zealand team for duathlon, also have done many half marathons, half ironmans, traithlons, bike events as well as running with the local Multisport Club - when I'm not organising a run and walk! Getting a daily run or swim or bike in is part of my life and i know that what i do has inspired and motivated many others to the same.