Curtis hoping for one final bow in Manukau

By WAYNE THOMPSON

Manukau City's youth-promoting slogan is " The Face of the Future" but it seems very attached to one familiar face - that of Sir Barry Curtis, its mayor since 1983.

In 1998 Sir Barry won the mayoralty election by 28,000 votes.

At 62 years old this coming election, he wants one more term to see pet projects finished off.

He will have no trouble heading off the five brave challengers and they are philosophical about the prospect.

Some of them, and a few ambitious ones standing for the council, are biding their time until the mayoral election three years away, which Sir Barry might not contest. Then the city will see high-powered action.

Prominent campaigners this time are Wes Taylor, a house renovator making his second mayoralty bid, and Cliff McMahon, a Vietnam veteran and bakery engineer.

Sir Barry says he wants to continue his fight for social justice and equity, and advocates equal access to education and health services.

Manukau has a higher unemployment rate than elsewhere in the region.

But the mayor and council is encouraging new business enterprises in the hope of creating jobs, boosting living standards and cutting crime for Manukau citizens.

The council made a $35,000 grant to a United States meat snack food producer which this week started building a plant near Auckland International Airport and which will employ 480 people.

More big international companies are negotiating to move in to Manukau, says Sir Barry.

He has held his popularity with citizens of the culturally diverse and growing city by championing free access to swimming pools, and public ownership of local and regional assets including water supply, drainage and shares in the international airport.

But he has stirred pockets of opposition too, particularly, in his home base - the eastern suburbs of Howick, Pakuranga and Clevedon.

Public concern has been expressed about proposals for the $54 million TelstraSaturn Pacific Arena, the $40 million Manukau rail spur, and Southern Motorway improvements which will wipe out 44 homes.

The council increased the average rates by 2.4 per cent this year after receiving 9000 submissions about the annual plan and regional water review.

It ignored eastern suburbs residents who said it would be fairer on them if uniform annual general charges were increased instead of basing rates on land values.

They are seeking revenge by moving to have the city's eastern shores brought under Auckland City's control.

Mayoral candidate Mr McMahon says he is picking up further concerns about the explosion in the number of liquor outlets, an oversupply of shopping centres, and the swelling council payroll.

Mr McMahon also believes that the council is neglecting provision of facilities for senior citizens because of its focus on youth.

His rival, Mr Taylor, says traffic-clogged main routes are the burning issue and he can't understand why the council is ignoring the relief that could come from a swept-up system using mini buses and carpooling.

* The other mayoral candidates are David Bergersen, Paul Teio and Phil O'Connor.