Top 5 Issues

1. Delegate more to each Local Board, including decisions relating to rates. I am determined that local democracy will be enhanced as some of what has be taken away by means of the imposed legislation must be given back.
   I support binding referenda provided that there is disclosed a 60% concensus
2. Protect public assets especially the Ports of Auckland and water. I will strive to give elected members more control over CCOs, in order to preserve the public interest.
3. Work hard to develop excellent and effective communication with with both Local Boards. I believe "knowledge empowers people when it is effectively communicated". I will use personal funds to ensure that this happens for high level regional matters and commit to voting on big issues according to the majority communal view
4. Financial prudence is essential. The current debt burden per capita is far too high and rates must be restained. I will only vote for large ticket items if the benifit/cost ratio is positive.
   Penlink has a BCR of 3+ and I will vote for it to be built in 2011.
5. I will support funds being spent on improving public transpot efficiency especially that of buses. Again any proposal must have a high BCR rating. I am unsure that rail development will yeild sufficent public benefit as development costs will be high, patronage is likely to be modest. Having a good rail net in my mind is problematic because Aucklands population density is low and the terrain is challenging.

Personal Profile

Ross Craig                        Candidate Standing for the Albany Ward

Party;        Accountable Independent

ABOUT ME

I am currently a Rodney District Councillor living in Okura North with my wife Lesley (42 years married)

We have 5 adult children and 12 grandchildren the eldest being 7 years old.

Prior to being a councillor I was for 21 years teaching and managing in an east Auckland Secondary School. Communication is one of my strengths and that will be a major component of my representation style if I am elected to the Auckaland Council.   I became an owner / manager of a 70ha forest in northern Rodney until we sold it 12 years later.  After moving to Okura 8 years ago I established the South East Rodney Association Inc. and I successfully engaged with Council to create a new ward in Rodney to advance the ideal of "fair and effective representation" LGA 2002.

I have taken action including going to the Environment Court to defend the 'green belt' and I also successfully worked with Council to establish a new reserve that gives access to the Okura River.  I believe with the skills I possess, the focus I give to community committment Albany ward residents will benefit if I am representing them. I have an Communication Action Plan which is one of the five main themes covered in my interactive election brochure. I encourage you to email 1ross@actrix.co.nz if you want a copy it has  more policy detail an an explantion as to how I can effectively represent all electors and the 20+ distrnct communioties that comprise the Albany Ward. I have a RDC track record in voting for rates constraint and leading the opposition to the pay and display parking proposal for Orewa 14 months ago. Council officers pushed hard for it but the ratepayer voice prevailed because most Councillors were realised that  P&D it was not the way to go.