Kāpiti Councillor Anne Molineux has announced that she will not be seeking re-election in 2010. Ms Molineux was the youngest and the highest polling councillor at the last election.
“I have enjoyed my time on the Council,” said Ms Molineux. “I am happy with the contribution I have made but it is time for me to move on to fresh challenges.”
“I was instrumental in getting a long term water supply back on the Council agenda, and have consistently supported initiatives which will reduce red tape and benefit Kāpiti in the longterm.”
“I am pleased I can point to initiatives which would not have occurred if I were not here including reallocating youth funding from an unsuccessful youth centre to other community projects, and reinstating the permit system for fires on the beach.”
Ms Molineux stressed the importance of infrastructure investment for the incoming Council.
“Decades of under investment in community facilities mean Kāpiti faces major infrastructural issues. Projects such as stormwater protection, a new water supply and much needed local roading should be the top priority for the Council in the upcoming term.”
Ms Molineux expressed disappointment that the current council has shied from these important decisions, opting instead to support nice-to-have items such as eco-friendly lightbulbs.
“The Council is still paying off the loan it took out to provide every household in the District with a free lightbulb. It is because of these types of initiatives that the community is facing a 7% rates increase this year when there are no major projects planned.”
Ms Molineux works fulltime as a solicitor for Wellington law firm Kensington Swan. She has found the time commitment created by Council meetings falling during the workday has meant it is nearly impossible to both be a Councillor and hold paid employment.
“This is a real pity,” said Ms Molineux, “as this arrangement makes it very difficult for people in the workforce to be represented on the Council.”
