No issues on file for Maurice Betts.

No issues on file for Harry Duynhoven.

1. Keep Rates increases within the rate of inflation, so that they will only go up 2 - 3% and be sustainable. This year they increased by over 6%. They are projected to increase by over 6% again next year, over 8% the following year and over 7% the year after that. Such increases are clearly unsustainable and unreasonable.
2. Equalise the Rates. There are groups of low income earners who pay 5 - 6 % of their income in Rates, while others pay only 2 - 3 %. Not everyone is eligible to recieve a Rates Remission because they pay rent, which has the Rates factored into it. Some of these low waged people can't even afford heating even when they recieve all their Income Support entitlements. This situation has to be rectified.
3. Lead the introduction of a local system of Rates Rebates to people who use public transport and non-vehicular modes of transport. I aim to reduce expenditure on roading by encouraging less use of the roading network in urban areas. I aim to provide rural residents with the roads they need to maintain their wellbeing as they do not use many other facilities and serivces of the Council. I aim to find the cheapest and fastest solution to the congestion at the Waiwhakaiho Bridge.
4. Introduce social and economic interventions to reduce the cost of negative social outcomes on the Ratepayers. For example I may reduce expenditure on the cost of restoration work to repair damage caused by vandalism ($500,000.00) by intervening to help the people who commit this offence to change their thinking and their behaviour. I can help attract more events to boost the economy. I was instrumental in assisting the organisers of WOMAD to gain the Council's support to stage WOMAD here. It brings millions of dollars into this District. If I hadn't been there it wouldn't have happened.
5. Give the image of this District a make-over. It needs a fresh face, someone central government wants to talk to, someone who can unblock the corridors of access, keep Rates down and give everyone a fair deal. As your Mayoral Candidate I offer you my full time commitment, the wisdom of experience and my proven ability to help make this District prosper, to lead and to represent your best interests. I'm your opportunity to break this District free from the shackles of tradition. I hope I have your support. Please vote Chantel Hewitt for Mayor and for Council in 2010.

1. Pride in our District - My Vision for our District is that we continue to be vibrant, dynamic, forward thinking district that we can all be proud of. A community that will attract and retain people. That our District continues to be the best place for us to live, to work and to play.
2. Economic Growth - we need businesses, we need more jobs because this allows the fixed costs to be spread amongst more people - a positive impact on rates - and it means jobs for our children and grandchildren.
3. Population Growth - we need to ensure that the population of Taranaki is at least 2.5% of the total population of New Zealand to maintain our share of Government funding for health, education and infrastructure. This is important because we do have an increasing aging population.
4. Progress with restraint - we need to continue to progress as a District in a fiscally responsible way. I cannot promise to hold rate increases below the CPI, but I can promise that as your Mayor the first conversation that I would be having with the CEO is that the Council must have a culture of zero tolerance of waste and inefficiencies and that a robust performance measurement plan must be introduced to ensure this outcome.
5. The Waiwahakaiho Bridge - we have all experienced frustrations with the delays and concerns with the safety issues. The NZ Transport Agency have just appointed a consultant to work out what to do including the upstream and downstream issues. They should report back with their short term and long term recommendations by Christmas. The Mayor, the Council and the Taranaki Regional Council need to keep the pressure on the NZTA to keep this at the top of their priority list.

No issues on file for John (Horse) McLeod.

1. There have been masive losses of community money and missed opportunities, as a consequence of poor investment decisions. This needs to be urgently addressed before further losses are incurred.
   
   Gold is close to $1300, five times the price of a decade ago and up $500 since I campaigned 3 years ago.
   
   Why, as a prime dairying district, have we 'invested' in dairy farms in another country?
   
   As mayor I will be looking for answers and won't accept excuses.
2. The NPDC 10 year community plan is completely lacking in discussion of any of the factors that will determine the future. This needs ot be urgently adressed.
3. Cost over-runs, employment of out-of-town consultants and general inefficiencies have resulted in unnecessarily spending, which have in turn resulted in increased rates charges being carried by the community. his must be stopped immediately.
   
   
4. There is no vision for long term sustainability within the current council: everything is based on short term thinking and complete lack of understanding of monetary and environmental issues.
5. Large amounts of funding have been poured into special interest projects, whilst other extremely important areas have received no funding.
   
   For its neglect of vital matters, the present council is in breach of the Local Government.
   
   As Mayor I will ensure that the council complies with all provisions of the Local Government Act 2002.

No issues on file for Phil Quinney.

No issues on file for John Rae.