Editorial: Questions designed to give voters information

Andrew Austin, Editor of Hawke's Bay Today.

By now most of you will have received your voting papers and some of you will have already ticked the boxes.

It is important that people vote as this is the only way you can play a role in getting the people you want to represent you elected.

Having a look at all the candidates in all the council races, there is certainly a wide variety of characters holding varied viewpoints to choose from.

Hawke's Bay Today has tried to let you get to know the candidates and what they stand for. We are in the process of running a series of questions and answers with all of them.
I am pleased to say that the candidates have co-operated and sent in the answers to what are some fairly tough and personal questions.

Obviously we have tailored some questions to suit candidates standing in different areas, but there are some that are applicable to most of the candidates. The dam is a perfect example, Aside from Tararua, it is important for voters to know where their potential councillors stand on the issue.

But, the question that has caused the most consternation amongst the hopefuls is whether or not they have had any criminal convictions.

Some felt it was none of our business (one even called it an impertinent questions), while others seemed to answer it grudgingly.

There were others who fronted up and admitted to wrongdoing as youngsters. Those people probably secured themselves some votes for their honesty.

We certainly don't regret asking that question because the more information out there the better.

If the candidates expect people to vote for them, they need to tell them who they are, warts and all.