Independent views By Brendan Horan

As I prepare to vote in the local body elections I am asking myself should national-level party politics have a place in local politics? And secondly, should, like our nation's court judges (who must retire at age 70), there be a retirement age for politicians local and national?

Local body politics in my view should be community-centred, focused on community needs. I agree with like-minded candidates uniting forces. They are not driven by party policies from a national caucus; they generally unite in the concern for community betterment. When receiving my voting papers I will be considering community issues as I vote and not candidates supporting a party line. Too often I see decisions made at national level that are driven by party politics rather than the people's view.

The vitalisation of an organisation is about the energy of the leadership team. Change sustains and vitalises organisational initiative and momentum. All Black Richie McCaw, one of our great sporting leaders, has recently taken time out to refresh and re-vitalise. We have a number of longstanding elected representatives who have served their community with credit and distinction but the vitalisation of their team and the sustainability of their organisation will suffer if they stay too long and prevent new energy. As voters we have a responsibility to balance organisational knowledge and maintain the sustainability and vitalisation of the organisation in the candidates we vote for.

I have mentioned before my primary issues, for this great city and region, I will be looking for candidates that commit to:

• Maintaining the integrity and vibrancy of our communities, families and children.
• Recapturing the integrity of our harbour and port, a critical regional asset.
• Managing Route K into the national state highway network.
• Working together as territorial authorities to cut delivery costs through shared services, procurement, planning and management practises; yet maintaining local democracy and uniqueness.
• Stream lining consent and planning processes across authorities.
• Keeping our ocean clean and removing the Rena wreck.
• Supporting and encouraging the development of industry and employment initiatives.
• Being transparent and open with political decisions.

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