Mayoral battle is all on

IF LAST night's mayoral candidate forum is a gauge, then expect a little ginger in the local body election campaign between now and when the polls close on October 13.
The Wanganui Chronicle-promoted mayoral forum drew a crowd of about 120 and, for the most part, the four mayoral candidates on show made their points to a generally attentive crowd in the Prince Edward auditorium at Wanganui Collegiate.
The candidates answered a number of questions submitted by Chronicle readers and put to them by the forum chairperson, Chronicle editor Kirsty Macnicol.
The candidates on stage included Michael Laws, Russell Fleming, John Martin and Randhir Dahya. The fifth candidate, Chandra Osborne, declined the invitation.
In his opening statement, incumbent Michael Laws recounted the successes he said the council had achieved in the past three years, emphasising the brake on rates.
Randhir Dahya, a councillor for five terms and a perennial high poller, said he harboured concerns about the district's rating level and debt. He wanted council to press on with encouraging business and economic growth.
Russell Fleming was quick to point out he was the youngest of the mayoral aspirants represented last night, reckoned he was best recognised as the person "who drives the little red fire engine", and said he would be promoting eco-tourism and more sports facilities for Wanganui.
John Martin, who finished runner-up to Mr Laws three years ago, said core interests of council remained roads, rates and rubbish. He said council policies needed full and robust debate and said the gang issue is not the threat it was made out to be.
"It's boy racers, graffiti taggers and Wanganui's negative image abroad that are the problems," he said.
Asked what they thought was the biggest issue facing the incoming council, Mr Dahya said it was council debt, while for Mr Fleming communication and unity were the major problems.
Mr Martin said it would have to be rebuilding New Zealand's image of Wanganui, not only for events and tourism but for economic growth as well. Mr Laws emphasised affordable rates in tandem with the creation of a family-friendly city.
The way to build the economy brought differing responses.
Mr Martin said Wanganui had a tendency to look to the past to find the solutions to our future and said new technology could be the driver that could bring people and their economic capital here.
Mr Laws said council had made sure people felt safe and had a good quality of life here.
For Mr Dahya it was about council acting as the facilitator, and he said businesses had come here before, because the council has been friendly and helpful.
Mr Fleming said affordable house prices and the city's central location should be promoted as reasons for people and business to move here.
Questioned whether or not council should pursue the soft water option, Mr Martin said it would be prudent to wait for natural sources to provide what the city needs.
Mr Fleming said the city needed quality water and he understood there were plenty of reservoirs under the city.
Mr Laws said there was never any guarantee of soft water being found that didn't need some form of treatment to get it to every Wanganui household but assured the audience it would be on stream before the end of this financial year. Mr Dahya said it was a matter of council striking the right sort of balance in its delivery.
As for the council's role relationship with the district health board, Mr Fleming said management and funding issues at the hospital needed to be addressed.
Mr Dahya said the mayor can use his or her influence to work in partnership with the health board when dealing with central government.
Mr Martin said the Government had devolved its responsibility for health services and council "must hold hands with the hospital, this one in particular".
Mr Laws said the relationship between the current council and health board was "brilliant and growing every day".
Asked if they thought the council should remain part of the Major Regional Tourism initiative or strike out on its own, Mr Martin said the MRI was a "great package" but Wanganui needed to supplement it with its own promotions. It was a sentiment shared by Mr Dahya, who said Wanganui needed to work to make itself more attractive to tourists.
Mr Laws reckoned tourism was grossly underdeveloped, but he said while council had a role to play it could not take over from the private sector.
Mr Fleming said the council needed to strike partnerships and was keen to push the eco-tourism package.
All candidates agreed the velodrome needed roofing, but Mr Dahya said he'd prefer to see the roofing funded by sponsorship.
Mr Laws said present estimates put the events centre and roof at $18 million, but this would be a decision for the people to make in the 2008 referendum.
Mr Martin said an $18 million price tag was "serious territory", and he said he had concerns about international events centres.
The candidates were asked what their take was on the difference between estimates and final costs for the Splash Centre and riverfront walkway.
Mr Fleming said it highlighted the need for the referenda to provide much clearer information and Mr Dahya's call for "all the cards to be laid on the table" drew applause.
Mr Laws said increased costs for the Splash Centre would not be picked up by ratepayers, rather by sponsorships, while the boardwalk costs grew when council decided to take the project to a higher level.
Mr Martin said the decision to upgrade the boardwalk project was a tactical error by Mayor Laws and should have been properly explained to the public.
Asked if the council's debt level was reasonable or acceptable and were there solutions, Mr Laws said the debt hadn't increased, "it wasn't accurately reported. Proper audits give the correct figure", and compared with other councils, Wanganui's debt level was not great.
Mr Martin said the debt levels needed "urgent attention". Mr Dahya said he "wasn't a fan" of handing over inter-generational debt.
Wrapping up the forum, the candidates were asked why they believed they should our next mayor.
Mr Dayha said he believed in democracy and if he is elected mayor "the highest polling councillor will become the deputy". Mr Fleming asked the audience to "believe the candidate" while Mr Laws said to step aside now would see progress halt or even backtracked.
Mr Martin said he wanted to give something back to the community and offered this sage advice.
He said an elderly woman had told him that politicians were like babies' nappies.
They needed to be changed regularly and for the same reason.
PICTURED: Chronicle editor Kirsty Macnicol introduces last night's mayoral forum line-up (from left) Michael Laws, Russell Fleming, John Martin and Randhir Dahya.