Richard Young - Vote # 1
For the Paekākāriki and Raumati Ward Working With YOU
Dear Resident,
Our retiring councillor Sophie Handford has achieved so much, and I want to build on the best of what she’s achieved.
I’m a professional Civil Engineer, owning and running a successful local business. In the community I started the Raumati cycle-to-school BikeBus schemes and now volunteer as a helper whenever I can. I advocate for safe roads for everyone and I'm also a volunteer train driver at Raumati’s ever-popular miniature railway!
I know that rates are a key issue - my commitment to you is to spend the rates you pay with the same level of scrutiny that we all apply to our own households. Of course there are the 'must haves', but there are also those 'extras' that maybe aren't essential. Those extras make Kāpiti the unique and beautiful place we all love - our parks, libraries, pools and even some events and community groups. So let's agree what is important to our community and work to deliver those things.
Yes, we face major challenges - affordable housing, rising rates, managing our water, repairing our roads and paths; so let's invest responsibly and prudently, to improve Kāpiti for all, for the long term.
Added to those challenges is a changing climate that will undoubtedly affect our coast and waterways. We need to have respectful, open, honest and informed conversations to make evidence-based decisions that the community both understands and supports. As a civil engineer with forty years of experience in delivering and maintaining infrastructure, I have the skills to bring light, not heat, to that debate.
If you choose me as your Councillor, I won't be tied to old decisions, nor will I make undeliverable promises to secure your vote. I will however, listen, advocate, where needed - challenge and act for all of us – to Work With YOU.
Most importantly people are the centre of our rohe; both in Paekākāriki’s diverse and vibrant community, and also in retirement and family focused Raumati. Both communities are taonga/treasures - My commitment is that I’ll do everything I can to keep this jewel of the Kāpiti coast a desirable, safe, affordable and inclusive home for us all.
It would be my privilege to represent you as the Paekākāriki and Raumati Councillor.
Ngā mihi,
Richard Young
Saving you money
Richard Young will bring two significant commitments to council to save you money. Firstly he is proposes that the council suspends any more investment in it's Economic Development program, It's a scheme to assist businesses, but hasn't shown material benefits to ratepayers for several years.
Secondly is his proposal that all elected representatives lead by example and take a 20% cut in their council renumeration for the next three years. This is the clearest indication possible that those elected to represent you know the economic challenges many in our community are facing.
And just to put your minds at rest, Richard is aware of the bizarre council remuneration rules set by government that mean if some councillors don’t take their full pay that it gets given to other councillors for free with no extra work!!! Just how crazy is that? It takes leadership and imagination to get around this rule - Richard has both to offer.
Over the next few weeks Richard will be announcing more policies and ways to save you money and deliver council services more efficiently.
