By SEAN HOSKINS sean.hoskins@wanganuichroncile.co.nz
WANGANUI'S newest councillor believes the city's vote for her is a sign of maturity and get up and go.
Philippa Baker-Hogan said the result was a definite win and she thought her honesty and campaign had won her the election.
She said she was aware the election would be
viewed as a test of Vision's success to date and was pleased the team had passed.
"I'm proud Wanganui has given Vision a further mandate. It's been a big change but Wanganui wanted a change and although at times they have had more than they thought, they're still strong enough to stick with Vision," she said. "I just think Wanganui's matured."
Mrs Baker-Hogan said she was now looking forward to joining the council as a Vision team member and being part of the exciting momentum.
"I'm personally really satisfied with the by-election result. I did the District Health Board thing but this has been a fairly tough campaign and got personal at times. "That's not to say I didn't expect it, I knew what I was getting into to. And there was a number of strong candidates."
"I can be a worrier and we had a couple of weeks where there were a couple of things that happened that I thought may have lost some support. But as a Vision candidate as the campaign went on I found myself believing more and more in the people who make up the team," Mrs Baker-Hogan said.
The Vision-led council was heading in good direction and she would make a positive contribution.
"I'm a strong individual and I will listen to the community and stand up for what I believe in."
Mrs Baker-Hogan said she had a commitment to public referendum on district issues and to keeping rates rises no higher than inflation.
She was now looking forward to progressing health, family and sporting and recreation issues through council and building co-operation between various Wanganui agencies, such as the council and the DHB, of which she is a board member.
Establishing a sport and recreation committee was a personal objective and Mrs Baker-Hogan said she also wanted to continue work on a council sport and recreation plan which was started by her predecessor, Wanganui sports administrator Graeme Taylor.
Mrs Baker-Hogan thanked her family, team and supporters for their support.
