Robin Barkla

In recent times I have enjoyed reading Keith Melville’s letters in our local paper and in most cases have found that I fully support his opinions.

However, in the past few weeks, Keith and some others have taken exception to the endorsement by some current councillors of the Whakatāne and Ōpōtiki district councils of Toi Iti for his candidacy in the Bay of Plenty Regional Council byelection. There have been a number of reasons given as to why they take this view, ranging from “others have a gift for explaining nuclear science and climate change” to “how dare they tell me how to vote”.

My opinion is somewhat different. As somebody who pays a significant amount of money to our local councils for the duties they are supposed to perform, I want to know that the person I put a tick next to will be able to make sure my contribution is spent wisely and for the purpose it is collected.

Can I make this decision based on a few paragraphs in the local rag or the odd “meet the candidates” meeting which is invariably hijacked by people with personal agendas?

You may say one should give the candidates a call, have a chat, but I am a busy working ratepayer, so I therefore welcome some guidance from people with knowledge of a particular candidate arising from working relationships.

I know two of the councillors personally and whilst not always agreeing with their views, I respect their experience and wisdom and welcome their input. Is this forcing me to vote for Toi? Not at all, but it certainly, for me, makes the decision-making process a bit easier.

To the best of my knowledge, I have never met Toi nor talked to him, likewise the other candidates, but based on my knowledge of the two councillors and their endorsement of Toi, I will be voting for him.