Kapiti Mayoral candidate Ross Church

Mayoral candidate Ross Church is a straight shooter with plans to unite Kapiti in a bid to move forward on a range of issues.

"People have asked what sort of leadership I would offer," says Mr Church.
"I would do three things immediately. First, I would establish a Kapiti Leadership Forum, involving leaders from the schools (Head Pupils), the Youth Council, service clubs, Grey Power, community groups, the Mayor and Council, Iwi, Professional bodies (eg Chamber of Commerce) and any other groups that wanted to have a positive impact on our future.
"This would not be a talk-fest. This would be a way of getting community leadership together, so that we could find a way to work toward the goals of the LTCCP. That Plan is our plan. Let's find a way to get some immediate wins on the board. Let's not just leave it all to the Council. Let's try to get together and get stuck in to making some gains, now," says Mr Church.

"Secondly, I would have an MMMMM (or similar) day. Monthly Mayors Monday Minutes Meetings. Let's open up the mayors office so people can come and have a say.
"The Mayor needs to be accessible. Anyone with a positive suggestion pops in for a chat with the Mayor. No appointments. Just come and chat. Only two rules. One: five minutes, so that everyone who wants to can have a chat. Two: must be positive. No point in just being negative. That achieves nothing. Positive suggestions welcomed.

"Thirdly, I support the airport development. The businesses mean extra jobs. I support the Nature Coast initiatives, being planned in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce, to attract businesses to Kapiti. I'll support anything that gives opportunities to those who wish to work; young, old, or somewhere between," says Mr Church.

On the first day of Spring we woke to a stunning day with a bright blue sky and hailed the arrival of spring.
One day later we were plunged back to the murky depths of winter. So thank you to the reader who sent in the photo of the slightly more appropriately dressed chickens than the 'Happy Spring Kapiti' photo (see below).
The good news is we can expect a balmy 8degrees today - where did I put the sunblock.

Marilyn Stephens

Marilyn Stephens says the Kapiti Council has snuck under the radar regarding the water meter debate.

"It has been a bit of a charade really," says Ms Stephens who is a candidate for the Paraparaumu Ward. "We even have some councillors pretending water metering has not gone ahead."

Ms Stephens says those councillors appear to have overlooked the implications of the Water Supply Bylaw 2010 which came into force on the 1 July this year.
This Bylaw requires water meters for the following activity groups:
Commercial and business; Industrial; Agricultural; Horticultural; Viticultural; Lifestyle blocks (peri-urban or small rural residential); Fire protection systems other than sprinkler systems installed to comply with NZS 4517; Out of district (supply to, or within another local authority); Domestic – spa or swimming pool in excess of 10m3 capacity; Temporary supply; Hospitals; Rest homes; Schools, Colleges, Technical Institutions; Recreational facilities; and Restaurants; Other uses as determined in writing by the Council or by an authorised officer of the Council.

"And in case anyone is missed out, the Bylaw is 'not limited' to these activity groups, says Ms Stephens.
"This Bylaw will enable many households to be charged for their domestic water supply and it also enables Council at any time to include any other groups or activities it sees fit."
Ms Stephens says water metering has been introduced by stealth. "Our community deserves better," she said.

Otaki Ward council candidate Penny Gaylor is in the pink these days.
Ms Gaylor is one of many candidates to brighten up the roads lately with their cars sporting election signs.
Driving round Otaki, Ms Gaylor's pink ensemble is sure to catch plenty of attention.
Ms Gaylor says she is pleased her car stands out so well and she has had lots of favourable comments.
"People seem to like it. Politics is a serious business but it doesn't have to be dull."

Paraparaumu Ward council candidate K.(Guru) Gurunathan says Mayor Jenny Rowan's statement encouraging the community to help shape Paraparaumu Town Centre adds little to the earlier clinical statement made on August 27 by KCDC chief executive, Pat Dougherty.
"I would have thought Ms Rowan's political statement would have included the additional fact that the shape of the town centre's urban development would depend on NZTA's proposed Expressway."

The council paper tabled on August 26 states that the Expressway decision is a complicating factor that will have an impact on local connectivity issues and could affect access and roading requirements in relation to the town centre land.
"It's important to keep highlighting this simple political fact to our communities - the shadow of the Government's Expressway is looming large over everything we are used to and take for granted - and almost every decision on urban form and development, said Mr Gurunathan.
"Mayoral candidate Chris Turver has stated, 'everybody is being kept in the dark' about the design plans for the Expressway and until that's released there can only be speculation.
"We must look at what we want in our town centre but our political leaders must keep reminding the people that a juggernaut of unknown description is on its way," said Mr Gurunathan.

Mayor Jenny Rowan

Kapiti Mayor Jenny Rowan is urging the community to get involved with deciding how the town centre of Paraparaumu looks in the future.
Last week Council agreed to use the special consultative procedure laid down by the Local Government Act 2002 and now must work out which parts of the town centre land are needed for public facilities.
"It has taken 20 years to get through all the negotiations and court procedures to this point where we can say what we need for the future of Paraparaumu town centre. I urge everyone to think about it," says Ms Rowan. "It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to help shape the town centre for our children and grandchildren".
A June report to Council said that current requirements were likely to require land for the Aquatic Centre, an arts centre and stormwater drainage. "The rest is up to the community. If you want a Youth Centre, playground or public park here, you have to make your views known" says Ms Rowan.
By April 2011 the Council have to submit their land requirements and commence negotiations to offer back any town centre land not required.

"Will this prescription interact with the meds I already have in my drinking water?"

The hotly debated topic of Fluoride dosing in Kapiti was again on the agenda at the recent Council meeting.
After the case was put for and against there was sense of anticipation that a motion put by Cr Peter Daniel would pass. Earlier in the meeting the Mayor had said her grandchildren will not be given fluoridated water as her family was aware of the risks and had installed filters. This and the inclusion of Cr Lyndy McIntyre who had previously expressed concerns over fluoridating the water supply looked to tip the scales. With the likely votes of Crs Tony Jack, Sandra Patton and David Scott who all spoke against fluoridation, Cr Daniels motion that KCDC suspend fluoridation until it could be proven conclusively to be safe seemed certain to pass.
However when the votes were cast many were surprised to see Mayor Rowan had voted against the motion and Cr Scott had abstained.
Further motions from Cr McIntyre and Cr Jack that Fluoride dosing at the Waikanae Water Treatment Plant be reduced to the safer level of 0.7 mg/L from the current dosing target of 1.0 mg/L and to provide a supply of potable non-fluoridated water "as soon as possible" via spring-loaded taps in the vicinity of the Information Centre and Public Library at Otaki, and at the St Peter's Hall in Paekakariki was passed with only Crs Ammundsen, Chapman, Molineux and Ellis voting against.
Otaki and Paekakariki residents are on separate water supplies which are not dosed with fluoride.
A final motion for Council staff to liaise with local health groups to provide information to families about the possible effects of fluoride on babies and young children, and to post on Council's website information covering the possible effects of using fluoridated water in babies' and infant's formula was passed with only Cr Ellis voting against.

Police are not taking any further, a complaint about election behaviour in Kapiti.
Earlier this week, a OneKapiti candidate made a formal complaint to the Electoral Officer, objecting to the potential use of results of a survey of candidates by the current chairs of the Paraparaumu-Raumati and Paekakariki Community Boards.
It followed an earlier email exchange on the same topic, initiated by another OneKapiti candidate.
Electoral Officers must refer complaints to police. Police say that after taking legal advice there will be no action taken.
Reported on Beach FM

Adele Cherrill was impressed by Kapiti's response to Daffodil Day

Volunteers were out in force throughout Kapiti on Friday collecting for Daffodil Day.

Run by the Cancer Society of New Zealand, Daffodil Day symbolises hope for the one in three New Zealanders affected by cancer.
Since 1990, this iconic event has inspired people to come together and support the Cancer Society's work, as well as providing an opportunity to raise awareness of cancer in New Zealand.
Adele Cherrill (pictured) was one of dozens collecting in Kapiti and she was very impressed by the public response.
"People have been very generous with lots of $5 and $10 notes going into the bucket. It is also lovely to see so many young people donating," said Ms Cherrill.
Donations will go towards vital scientific research into the causes and treatment of all types of cancer, as well as providing a wide range of support services, education and awareness campaigns and programmes for people affected by cancer.

While Daffodil Day has passed, the opportunity to give has not.
The Kapiti Office of the Cancer Society is dedicated to providing the best possible services for the local community. The Office is located in the Kapiti Community Centre at 15 Ngahina Street, Paraparaumu just behind the library and welcomes anyone who requires health promotion and support and information. Contact is Judy Dickie, Co-ordinator Phone 298 8514 and Email: csnzkapiti@xtra.co.nz

Eight month old Casper is a keen collector for the SPCA

Saturday's event outside the PostShop Coastlands was a sweet success says SPCA spokesperson Annette Buckley.
"I was particularly worried about the weather forecast but on the day it turned out perfect! We had a steady flow of passers by, some stopping for cup cakes, others purchasing the range of merchandise we had for sale."
Casper the four legged volunteer received plenty of pats from the public as they opened their wallets and gave generously. SPCA supporters and volunteers also gave generously of their time as well by making some home made cup cake creations and these, along with a kind donation from Windmill Quality Cake Shop, sold out fast! Pak-n-Save donated a $50 voucher towards our raffle which resulted in just on $900 being raised for the Kapiti Animal Centre.
Mrs Buckley said even though the day was a big success it was just a sweetener for the big day next Monday the 30th.
"Bon Appetit at Mahara Place Waikanae are holding the most pawsome event I've heard of ... Cup Cake Day for the SPCA - between 10am and 12 noon. Pooches and their owners are invited to come on down for a complimentary pup cake. Cup cakes for the humans will be on sale all day and collection boxes will be available for cash donations.
"Animals from the SPCA centre will make a guest appearance after 10am, not only as a social exercise for them but in the hope that we can find loving homes for them," said Mrs Buckley.
All animals available for adoption can be viewed on Wellington SPCA's website www.wellingtonspca.org.nz or phoning the centre at Waikanae Tel 293 4292.
Windmill Quality Cake Shop at Kapiti Lights are also donating 50% of the proceeds of cup cake sales and there'll be a donation box on their shop counter.
Mrs Buckley says, while the spirit of cup cake day is fun and lighthearted, the reason for running it is highly serious.
"The SPCA does not receive direct government funding and donations are vital to us."