Franklin District Council's reputation was once worse than that of rift-torn Rodney, which ended up being run by a Government-appointed commissioner, says sitting Franklin mayor Heather Maloney.
She is standing again for the mayoralty.
When she took over three years ago, her first task was to heal the wounds inflicted by constant
media pressure over council spending and encouraging councillors to get along with one another.
Next came infrastructure problems. Tough decisions had to be made about water, sewerage and roading. As a result, rates had to be increased.
These areas are still her priority, along with working through resource consents which are holding some of the work back.
Mrs Maloney is from a farming background but has spent 20 years working in Pukekohe in accounts. "I know how to read a balance sheet," she says.
Don Swales is a local farmer, keen sportsman and president of New Zealand Rowing. He has been a councillor for 12 years. His big concern is how the council spends its money. He says rates have nearly doubled in his time as a councillor and have to be reined in.
Cafe owner Lucy Hendry is standing for the young people. "It's about time Franklin started to think about what the youth need, rather than remodelling the street. Kids have nowhere to go and they hang around the street at night."
Mayoralty: Lucy Hendry; Heather Maloney; Don Swales.
Council -
Awhitu Ward (elected unopposed): Keith Hamilton; Jock Patterson.
Waiuku Ward (two seats): Ian Carline; Judith Hull; S. Kevan Lawrence.
Pukekohe Ward (four seats): Kevin Birch; Beatle Brougham; David Collins; Massey Hiku; Murray Kay; Bob Lack; Graham Peach; Dahl Robertson; Helen Russell.
Patumahoe Ward (elected unopposed): Henk Habraken; Jill Morris.
Onewhero/Tuakau Ward (two seats): Brian Hosking; Kenneth Paul; Lionel Petersen; Dennis Robertson.
Hunua Ward (elected unopposed): Ian Barton; Don Swales.
Community boards -
Awhitu (elected unopposed): Lucie Rutherford; Alan Thompson.
Waiuku (three seats): William Deed; Johno Johnson; Daniel Lynch.
Onwhero/Tuakau (six seats): David Barnes; June McCoubrie; Archie Clarke; Ellen Hamilton; Bill Henderson; Suzanne Lamont; Dennis Robertson.
Feature: Local body elections 2001
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