Generally speaking, I believe the footpaths and roads are very well maintained in Waipa. If any footpath or road becomes an issue then it should be reported to Council staff. I am aware that some mobility scooter users have problems in some places and I would urge them to contact a Councilor or the Council directly.

Communication is important. I have listened to the other Mayoral candidates as well as Council candidates in meeting after meeting saying \"I will listen to you\" and \"I have listened to you\"... but please listen carefully because I am going to tell you something about politicians you didn\'t know... we hear what we want and disregard the rest, we spin the facts and sometimes we even lie. The only way you will ever make politicians honest and get them to listen to you is by demanding ratepayer referendums. They also need to be binding on Council! For Councillor Lee, I would also inform him that a phone poll is not akin to a referendum. Ratepayers deserve the right to put a check and balance on elected members and that is more than once every three years at an election.

I have also contatced Council staff through their website email address and here we are over a week later and I have not even had an acknowledgement of my email, let alone a response. Council staff need to life their game. I would also like to see an online forum so residents can offer feedback to the Mayor and Council. I would also like to see all contatc details for Councillors on the Council website so people have a point of contact.