Ratepayers Association lists local body election candidates online

The ratepayers association in Greenhithe on Auckland's North Shore has turned to the web to inform voters about the upcoming local body elections. Publicity Officer Barry Page says: "Voter turnout in local elections is typically low, and even then most voters don't really know what they are voting for. All they get is posters with a picture and a name. So voters are often just ticking off names they recognise rather than voting on specific issues. Many local body politicians--while hard working and sincere--have no real mandate to be there."

So the Greenhithe Residents and Ratepayers Association has used its web site in an attempt to change that.

"We asked candidates their views on local issues. So far over 80% of candidates have given us their views. We are all deeply concerned about the potential impacts of commercialising Whenuapai airbase, so we have specifically profiled their views on that issue."

The association is planning to grow the website for the benefit of the community and offer similar facilities to other areas through its web development partner, locallywired.com

The Greenhithe residents' website is at www.greenhithe.org.nz

ENDS

Information, news, discussions, polls and classifieds online at greenhithe.org.nz and coming soon to albanynz.com

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