Warren Slater - Official Profile as on
Local Government New Zealand website.
My
objective is to make Whangarei First through sincere and honest
representation. As mayor, I believe I
will serve our community without “fear, favour or bias”, guide a transparent
and accountable council and support local businesses, individuals and other
sectors, meeting needs through a “level playing field approach” providing equal
opportunities. Interested parties will
have input throughout council projects or public forums. In my opinion, Council’s current debt is
unsustainable; the wholesale sale of assets to “balance the books” is not
beneficial long term and reducing wasteful expenditure, is more effective to
reduce debt. I advocate for public
demand to gauge the prioritization of projects.
Having campaigned since 2007 for upgrading our sewage network protecting
our harbour from pollution, my priority is to ensure infrastructure in
Whangarei serves the needs of our increasing population. I am focused on major issues, willing to
listen and prepared to act.
www.warrenslater.co.nz Ph 4594992
Top Five Issues
1/ Honestly Represent the people in our district with transparency & accountability without fear, favour or bias.
2/ Promote essential project affordability and reduced debt, which will keep rates to a satisfactory level.
3/ Encourage dialogue and involvement with our diverse community which will result in better decision making.
4/ Instigate changes to protect our harbour and waterways to save them pollution.
5/ Observe the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of the community in all decision making processes.
Personal Information
Refer to my
website.... www.warrenslater.co.nz It
tells it all.
Warren
Slater
was born in Auckland during the 'nifty fifties' - married Patricia in 1971 and
we are still strong together in 2010. Fortunately, my wife is very
supportive and politically motivated as well. We have a married
daughter (of whom we are very proud), great son-in-law and a wonderful four
year old grandson. My 90 year old mother, we care for, in our home.
I have been
involved for many years over time in a Boat club and Water Safety Auckland,
(both member & Committee); Coast Guard committee; crew and skipper with
Auckland Volunteer Coast Guard; Launch warden with Auckland Regional Council
Harbour Patrols and a volunteer on the Police Launch Deodar 2. A far as
my general interests in life - motor sports (karting & speedway), boating,
aviation, entertainment, pets and peaceful country living. Warren competed
in Karting during the mid 1970's and remains interested in motorsports.
As for
employment, Warren
Slater has been involved in sales, administration,
management, financial control and customer service mainly in the automotive and
furnishing industries. I managed a security team for approx 14 years.
Warren
Slater
is a family and people orientated person, a team player who appreciates a keen
sense of humour while having a positive, realistic approach (can fix what
you acknowledge). I can at times be very serious, (but still
try to find the light at the end of the tunnel.) I strongly believe
in being a firm, fair, self motivated and reliable leader.
I believe as
mayor, I will be able to guide a team of elected people to honestly represent
their constituents. As all elected, we are only one vote and we
must build a willing team to engage with our community in genuine dialogue to
make better decisions, for all, that we are elected to represent. All
decisions must be made without fear, favour or bias, in a transparent and
honest manner with the thoughts and well being of our community, close to our
hearts.
Objectives
Warren
Slater
confirms his nomination for the 2010 elections as Mayoral candidate for
Whangarei, after closely monitoring local governance since early 2007, by
attending most Whangarei District Council public meetings & submission
processes and since standing in 2007 at the local elections. I have also
attended many Northland Regional Council and some Far North District and Kaipara District Council meetings to observe the varying
styles on offer.
Recently I
attended a Local Government New Zealand ‘Know How’ course on ‘Decision Making’,
in anticipation of the tasks I have ahead. I have also listed to stand as
a councillor in Okara
ward.
Unlike others,
there is no big flash campaign sponsored by big business. This I
believe, will enable me to make decisions without fear, favour or bias without be beholden to anyone.
People must ask,
“Why I want to be Mayor?” I believe the residents of Whangarei have not
had the representation that they were duly owed by the representatives they
elected in good faith. In my opinion, I believe our present council has
represented the council, rather than represent the ratepayers and I truly do
have the interest of all in the community at heart. I believe in a fair
deal for all.
I believe as
mayor, I can make a difference, by ensuring all the people in our district are
represented fairly without fear, favour or bias,
hence I offer my services to the community to treat all people equally, whilst
observing social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of the
community.
I wish to
implement the use of public forums at the commencement of council
meetings. I believe
Council must also introduce meeting webcast as is done in Taupo.
With technology presently available all public meetings should be recorded or
broadcast. We must also ensure all elected councilors communicate regularly
with their constituents with avenues of newsletters, letters or media. It’s not
just up to the public relations staff to undertake that function.
I have also been
proactive with many letters to the editor which are available on my website www.warrenslater.co.nz .
My main concerns
are essential project affordability and reduced debt, which will keep rates to
a satisfactory level. In my opinion, Council’s current debt is
unsustainable, the wholesale sale of assets to “balance the books” is not
beneficial long term and reducing wasteful expenditure is more effective to
reduce debt.
Viable asset
retention, transparency and a healthy un-polluted harbour
are also of high importance to our sustainable future.
There must be
equal opportunities for all in approved Council (ratepayer) property sales and
the tender processes entered into, being paid with ratepayer funds, must be
open.
Financial
controls must be prudent and totally accountable council processes are also of
high significance to me.
We must remain
vigilant by closely monitoring the development of mining in our region,
ensuring there is no detriment to the environment through pollution or by its
introduction.
I advocate to gauge the prioritisation of
projects through the level of public demand.
Before the 2007 election
and since I have campaigned for upgrading our sewage network, protecting our harbour from pollution and my priority is to ensure that Whangarei’s infrastructure serves the needs of our
increasing population.
I am proud to
have constantly taken every available opportunity to apply pressure on council
to improve our waste water system, which has forced them to only recently (14
July 2010) start discussing this problem in public Council meetings.
I have also been
accused by some in council of using the Official Information Act to obtain
information that has been kept from our community. I make no apology for
this, as for me to make informed decisions, and to keep the community aware,
some of the information requested was needed, for good decision making.
I am focused on
major issues, willing to listen and prepared to act.
Together we can
all make Whangarei first.
Check my
website for links to my election campaign video. If you wish to
contact me to discuss issues that you believe are important for our community,
or have a group who would like to meet with me, or hear their issues, please
call.
Commercial
Activities
I support Local Businesses by purchasing as much as possible locally. I have no financial interests locally, which will enable me to make decisions without fear, favour or bias.
Conflicts
of Interest
NIL -
This is something that I have grave concerns about in decision making processes for our community funded council.
I believe the position of mayor should be great enough for it to be a dedicated full time position.
We need people in elected positions to have business minds, however people with large business interests could perhaps have difficulty remaining focused on local council stakeholders interests if there is a potential to conflict with their own personal business interests.
Marital
Status
Married (nearly 40 years...whew!)
Children
1 Married with 1 grandchild (He's awesome)