In 2007 I was elected to represent your ward. With your support I entered council and after almost three years I am seeking your support to continue for a further three years.

I am proud to have helped achieve the following on your behalf; Inflation-proof community funding, the lowest rate increase in a decade, a highway free Esplanade, Alcohol free council meetings, a sinking lid on pokie machines, a new community house and huge roading improvements in Awapuni.

My ongoing priorities are; Removing GST from rates, restricting speed limits near schools, Improving Awapuni river access to families and the disabled. Attendance linked salaries for councillors, ensuring that water remains in our ownership, reinstatement of Ward Committees and improving services for both youth and the elderly.

I seek your support in achieving the priorities listed above. Together we can do it.

Top 5 Issues

1. Keeping the present election system so all citizens have a change to stand for election without the need for secret trust funds to fund their efforts. Making certain that all the councillors don't live in one area of the city such as Hokowhitu as they did just a few years ago.
2. Getting community funding right and not seeing groups like Creative Sounds starved of funding.
3. Getting the message across that Growth is not the answer to all our problems, and that sustainability and sound evironmental planing is vital for our future.
4. Developing a meaningful and open process of bringing together our youth, elderly, business, community, Maori and ethic to plan the future direction of our city.
5. Not going back to the YES Minister mentality that existed three years ago.

Personal Profile

I am male...

I served twenty years in the NZ Army and saw active service in Malaysia. I was educated in Wanganui and later Massey University, I was the HRD manager for Alflex here in Palmerston North. I later ran my own business specialising in Training and development. I also designed training for reducing violence in communities. I have worked overseas in both Malaysia, PNG and Fiji.

I was chairperson and a member of the Awapuni Ward Committe before being being elected in 2007, I've been a member of and still are a member of the Community Services Council, Age Concern, Access Radio, Friends of the library.

I write a column for the Guardian Newspaper here in PN and produce a weekly newsletter on local government which is received by over five hundred. I broadcast a radio programme on Access radio weekly.

I both played rugby and referred the game for many years, my summer sport was cricket.

I recently lost a daughter to illness my youngest daughter is an art director for various magazines she works out of Sydney both my daughters attended Awatapu Collage here in Awapuni. Awapuni has been my home since 1979.

Awapuni has been served well over the past three years, at long last borrowing has been brought under control and the years of credit card type borrowing has taken a dive, we are even paying back loans. Times are difficult and I understand that only too well. I value what we've got and I have no desire to see our children or grand children lumbered with massive debt.

A important aspect, in fact the most important aspect is people, while the city has buildings it is people that give those buildings life so the council's first job and major role is looking after its people and the infrastructure that ensures the health and safety of all the people and not just a few. I am not just for business, nor property developers, I aim to represent all. House owners, those in rental housing or our community housing.

If you would like to receive Wheeler's Corner just send me an email wheeler@inspire.net.nz