New council candidates and board independents. Nominations for the local body elections have now closed. Since I wrote last month, John Banks and John Palino have both withdrawn from the mayoral race.
Still, the race for the Waitemata Ward council seat has a new entrant, Allan Matson, who is also a Waitemata Local Board candidate.
Local activist Gael Baldock is also a new board candidate.
ALLAN MATSON – council and board candidate
Matson has been a board candidate before. Like all independents, it is hard to get known and get your ideas out unless you are wealthy, which Allan Matson isn’t.
So, partly because I don’t think a full slate round the table from any one party is healthy, and partly because I think Allan Matson has a good story to tell, and would be a valuable councillor or board member, I want to tell you a little about him.
Allan has a Bachelor of Commerce from Victoria University and a Bachelor of Architecture from the Unitec Institute of Technology. He is well known as an expert in heritage, and is a member of Auckland Council’s Heritage Advisory Panel. Although heritage is Matson’s primary focus and concern, he has plenty of experience in a variety of council responsibilities and submits regularly to select committees, panels and resource consent hearings.
The local board has awarded Allan Matson its Good Citizens’ Award for his outstanding contribution to heritage protection. Matson’s name has popped up in most of the big preservation battles in the city of the past decade, beginning with his successful advocacy to save the former Fitzroy Hotel built in 1854, and including strong support for St James Theatre’s protection.
In his recent retirement speech at the Civic Theatre, long-time Auckland Council Heritage Manager George Farrant said this: “I don’t always get on with advocates who have a different point of view from me, but people like Allan Matson ultimately are a force for good and certainly stir the pot on appropriate occasions.”
Allan Matson has developed and maintained a broad network of professional and community contacts, which would be an asset to a board or council member. Sir Bob Harvey said this about Matson: “Allan is one of Auckland’s most esteemed and respected voices of reason for heritage buildings and the rich history of the city.” He went on to add, “Allan is the kind of man that international cities applaud and honour.”
His passion and commitment to heritage and to proper governance of Auckland would make Allan a valuable member of council or the board.
Allan Matson is fair minded, thoughtful, measured and a mature thinker with many personal attributes that would serve us well in having him as a Waitemata representative.
GAEL BALDOCK
Long-time local activist Gael Baldock is standing for the local board. If successful, Baldock will get to spend time inside the tent instead of her regular presentations to the board as a member of the public.
Gael describes herself as an advocate for heritage and tree protection. “I am an active member of ‘Save Western Springs Native Forest’ (why kill a native forest to plant a native forest?), and support Chamberlain Park to become a wildlife sanctuary forming a ‘Green Bridge’ between the two.”
Baldock has a background in architecture and understands the relationship between the natural and built environments. She knows the needs of local businesses and what will help them flourish. She believes in listening and supports genuine public consultation that encourages community participation.
Gael is concerned about AT’s plans for Karangahape Road, including proposed cycle ways. She is worried, too, about disabled and ambulance access, and echoes the mantra “No stopping equals
No shopping.”
Like me, Gael Baldock supports having independent members on local boards.
The ‘butterfly lady’, as Gael Baldock self styles herself, has been very active on a number of local issues, including transport and tree protection, and brings an intelligent mind and careful research to her issues. She would certainly put the bureaucrats on notice that they would need to listen more to residents’ opinions, working with citizens rather than imposing decisions on them from on high.
KEITH McCONNELL
The third independent board candidate is Keith McConnell, a Parnell resident who has a degree in finance and has lengthy business experience. Keith has been assiduously canvassing local businesses and residents’ associations for their opinions. He is calling for open, transparent and accountable governance, something he sees as sadly lacking since the formation of the Super City.
So, there you have it.
Two realistic mayoral candidates – Goff or Tamihere.
Coom, Lee, Matson or Trotman for one council seat.
Twenty or so board candidates from which you may choose seven.
Please vote. (JOHN ELLIOTT)
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