Media release 26 May 2011

Citizens and Ratepayers elects new President

Citizens and Ratepayers has elected Waitakere Ranges Local Board member Mark Brickell as President at its Annual General Meeting this week. Mr Brickell replaces John Slater who retired after leading the organisation for six years, as required by the constitution. Mr Brickell said John had been a driving force within C&R and had put a tremendous amount of energy and commitment into the organisation.

“He has led C&R through the very significant move to the new Auckland Council and has established the largest local government political organisation in Auckland. Mr Brickell said as a result of John’s efforts, C&R now had elected members from Rodney to Franklin. He wanted to acknowledge the very considerable effort John had put in. Mr Brickell said his key focus in the coming months would be to meet with Citizens and Ratepayers members and supporters around the region to discuss their views on how the new Auckland Council structure was working. "C&R is committed to making the local government changes work affordably and effectively for Aucklanders. The organisation will continue its key role of supporting the elected members under the leadership of Councillor Chris Fletcher.

“I look forward to further building C&Rs regional networks. I want to grow our political support and ultimately our elected member base from the nearly fifty Auckland Council, Health board and Auckland Energy Consumers Trust representatives we have today.”

Mr Brickell said he hoped to be able to welcome Dick Quax back to elected office when the results of the Howick by-election were released on Friday afternoon.

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