Voting Day 29 September 2007-08-31

So getting people to vote in local body elections is tough. Many people in Manukau City simply don’t care or are neutral about local government.

Arguments that we ought to want to vote on the basis of hard fought democratic freedoms seem to cut no ice these days notwithstanding the increasing interest in the history and the spirit of Anzac Day events.

So if I was living alone on a fixed income why should I bother to vote?

If a candidate proposed to me that rates would be tied to inflation, that programmes to improve safety in our streets would be led strongly, that public transport options would be improved and I could get around more easily and safely without it costing a fortune, would I be interested? Yes. Would I vote for that? Certainly.

If I was a bored teenager why should I bother to vote?

If a candidate proposed to me that there would be every encouragement in the city to take part in interesting things like music, sport, concerts, the Manukau City hip-hop festival, that these events would be gang free and drug free, that waka ama champs would get as much support and be as valued as rugby and touch, that I could get to where I want to when I want to on public transport, would I be interested in voting for that to happen? Yes I would.

If I was a young woman who has 2 young children with my partner why should I bother to vote?

If a candidate proposed to me that they were committed to developing local communities as OK for bringing up children, that they were actively committed to growing the local economy in Manukau so that there are jobs and good housing for families, would I be interested in voting for that to happen? Yes I definitely would.

Voting for local government is easy. It only takes 3 minutes. It is easy because our Council sends out the papers to everyone who is enrolled. It is easy because you have 3 weeks to get your voting papers back to Council. It is easy because you just put your voting paper in the post.

I know it is also easy to put off voting for another day. So let’s set aside a day when we will consciously vote.

On 26 September we will all have received our voting papers together with the candidate information. The suggestion is that we make time on 29 September to decide who to vote for and then actually cast our individual votes and put them in the post next day.

The challenge of Moving Manukau Forward begins with voting on 29 September. The benefits of low rates, safer streets and better transport begin with voting on 29 September and are part of my commitment to you the voter, in which ever part of the city you are living in.

The leadership of the city is about to change. Decide to be a part of it and vote.

Let’s move Manukau forward together on VOTING DAY - 29 September 2007.

Len Brown

Mayoral Candidate - Manukau 2007

© Scoop Media