Blow away apathy and make your vote count

Mark Dawson, Editor of Wanganui Chronicle

Just over a third of Wanganui voters have put their tick beside their favoured candidate for the district council byelection.

As of yesterday - with just over four days to go - 10,575 people had decided who sits at our council table is important enough for them to complete a simple form.

Hardly an encouraging turnout but, hopefully, there will be a minor tsunami of voting papers before Saturday.

It's not as exciting as the World Cup, but it is still an important contest - yet again the democratic process is battling apathy.

There are those who grizzle but can't be bothered when they can make their voice heard; those who are just not interested, even though council decisions may affect them significantly; and those who think that one vote - and even one councillor - cannot make a difference.

Well, think again. Eight candidates believe they can make a difference and in Saturday's Chronicle they said why, and gave their views on six pertinent local issues.

It made for illuminating reading. A couple had impressive pedigrees; a couple had some good ideas; four seemed to be playing catch-up on issues and would be unlikely to make an impact. If you want to check their credentials again, I can supply copies of the paper.

Remember, last day for posting your vote is tomorrow - after that they will have to be hand-delivered to the council offices in Guyton St, which will be open till midday on Saturday.

And on council matters, the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement is back on the agenda for today's committee meeting following the walkout by four councillors last time round.

Whatever one's view on the TPPA and whether it is bona fide council business or not, let's hope those bringing the submission are shown the courtesy that was sadly lacking last time.