The Otago Daily Times is profiling mayoral candidates in Otago's heartland. Today, Lynda van Kempen talks to Lynley Claridge, standing in Central Otago.
After serving almost three terms on the council, from 2001 to 2010, she believes she has served her apprenticeship and the time is right to aim at the top job. Her business background and focus on that sector is one of the strengths she will bring to the role, Mrs Claridge says.
Why are you standing as mayor?
''I want to see Central Otago prosper now and into the future. We must have more jobs here. With Government centralisation of services to Christchurch north we are in danger of losing key services in our area and we can't be complacent about this. We must actively find opportunities and target them for our region.
''If elected, I would want every contact with council, whether through the door or by phone, documented and on my desk on a daily basis, to be analysed for any common denominator that is a barrier to progress.
''We need to network with our businesses and community groups, and the people on the street - that is physically ourselves turning up at meetings, not getting a consultant to do a survey.
''We need to have our ear to the ground for every whisper of an opportunity or issue, and facilitate and find solutions together.
''We must look for needs and opportunities that will bring investment and jobs in our region. Finding opportunities finds jobs.''
Will you be a full-time mayor and why?
''I will work every hour that is required to be a successful and proactive mayor for this region. It's not a 9-to-5 job. I imagine I will be on call 24/7.''
What position do you think the district and its council is in?
''We are in the greatest position, because we have one of the best canvases to work with, we are a tourist's dream, we are the ultimate place to live and work. More population and employment would be the icing on the cake. To live here, people must have jobs, opportunities bring employment. Council is in a position to work hand in hand with people to facilitate this. It's not rocket science.''
What are the three key issues facing this council?
''Employment: we must facilitate opportunities for employment, we need growth of our population, not only for families to be able to live in the same area, young and old, but to spread the cost of rates now and into the future. Council and elected representatives should be getting right alongside every business and prospective business in Central Otago, so obstacles to progress are understood and solutions found.
''Government centralisation of services to Christchurch north: this is a major concern. Much of the taxpayer dollar is being targeted for Christchurch and Auckland, and we will have to fight to keep key services in our region.
''Water and infrastructure: it's time to stop writing reports and make decisions on upgrading our water quality and infrastructure, especially water quality. We have to bite the bullet, and move forward in the most affordable way.''
Name one thing you would like to have achieved by the end of your term and why?
''I would like to bring about a culture of change where we actively seek and target opportunities to come to our region, where council and people are proactively working together for the benefit of our region as a whole. Central Otago would be sought after not only for its magnificent scenery, but for being a land of opportunity.
Why?
''Because I want families to be able to live and work in this area now and into the future, to build a strong sense of community, young and old, something we are in danger of losing, with our young leaving the area to find jobs, and our elderly often faced with rest-home care out of the area. Without the rich social fabric of community and family, and the support and life education that brings, our young people are losing their sense of belonging.''
