Press Release from Peoples Choice 27 April 2007

Peoples Choice Announces two more Council Candidates

The Manukau City local body election ticket Peoples Choice today announced two more Manukau City Council candidates for the local government elections this October.

Bryan Mockridge Council candidate for the Botany/Clevedon ward

Bryan Mockridge has been selected as Peoples Choice’s second candidate for the Botany/Clevedon ward.

Bryan Mockridge is standing for the Manukau City Council in order to stop it funding high-risk Think-Big projects that cause the on-going steep rises in rates. In particular, the Flat Bush Retail Centre is likely to end up as a net loss of over $100 Million to the council, a cost of $1000 for each average ratepayer.

Bryan believes that the council should lease the land to experienced commercial developers who accept the risks of building retail centres.
Instead he wants basic council services delivered much more efficiently. The Peoples Choice team will delegate local issues to the Community Boards, so that the councillors can scrutinise major expenditure items, rather than leaving all key decisions to Sir Barry and the bureaucrats.

Bryan originally gained Economics and Public Administration degrees, and has since managed projects and services within budgets in the government, finance and IT sectors. Bryan has served on the boards of the Building Guarantee Corporation, ASB Bank and United Future Party.

Bryan joins Botany Community Board Chairman Michael Williams who was announced as Peoples Choice Council candidate for the Botany/Clevedon ward last month.

Lyn Murphy Council Candidate for the Howick ward

Lyn Murphy has been selected as Peoples Choice’s first candidate for the Howick ward.

Lyn lives in Howick with her family. She is a senior lecturer in management at MIT and is an active member of many local community groups. Lyn was chairperson of the Board of Trustees at St Mark’s Catholic School for nine years.

Lyn’s vision is to make Howick a clean, safe and active environment where families want to live and enjoy a unique heritage and lifestyle.

As a new Council member, Lyn will bring a fresh perspective. Lyn supports the principle of a positive and effective Council that listens to and acts on behalf of residents.

Some of the issues Lyn looks forward to championing include: improving transport in Howick and Pakuranga, holding the rates increases to no more than inflation, smart environmental management, and a focus on core business – including roading rubbish, water and lighting.

Peoples Choice Chairman Hamish Stevens said he was delighted that two more high calibre candidates are being announced. ‘This brings to six, the total number of Council candidates selected to date. Along with Mayoral candidate Dick Quax Peoples Choice will have a strong team on the next Council’

Mr Stevens said that Peoples Choice candidates had won all three by-elections in the City since the last election. ‘We are now the largest elected ticket in Manukau ahead of the Labour Party, and we are confident of doing well this October’

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