Poll Position

Mayoral Candidate John Martin is smiling at the results of a telephone poll publicised by Michael Laws today. “This is political gamesmanship at it’s best,” said Mr Martin. “Mr Laws is very much a creature of habit and it’s his standard tactic to release a favourable poll result at this point in the voting process. If his polling is as accurate as his budget control he must be worried.”

Mr Martin said he has no intention of commissioning any out of town agency to conduct polling as he is talking directly with Wanganui residents, getting a clear and positive message from them that they have had enough of manufactured spin. “Besides, I could not afford to pay for polling and remain within the campaign budget allowed by the electoral act. “

“This has been an enjoyable election campaign with a never ending list of invitations to talk with groups and individuals. People have gladly engaged to give me their perspective on a host of issues and that’s invaluable.”

(The results of a local poll undertaken by an Independent Council candidate are due to be released to the media today)

Martin Videos Popular on the Internet

Two videos about Wanganui mayoral candidate John Martin have been seen by approximately 1600 people on the worldwide internet showcase You Tube.

Mr Martin says the short videos, by award-winning Wanganui filmmaker Costas
Thrasyvoulou, are intended to inject some life and humour into the election campaign. “I’ve been getting lots of good feedback,” he says. Acclaimed local film-maker, Costas was thrilled to have the opportunity to get involved and support John Martin creatively.

On Saturday September 29 Mr Martin and his wife Brenda will be taking their message to shoppers by opening a “mayoral office” in Majestic Square from 10am-noon. “Wanganui people were promised a downtown mayoral office as part of the Vision campaign three years ago but it never eventuated. However, if elected I will be a mayor who listens to what people have to say and I hope they will come along on Saturday to meet me and discuss the issues that are important to them.”

The videos, which are under four minutes long, can be seen by following the links on the sidebar under 'See John Martin'.

John Martin the Winner in Chronicle Poll

John Martin was the clear winner in a poll held as part of the Mayoral Forum on Monday September 17.

In a front page story the next day titled ‘Martin tops mayoral forum poll’, the Wanganui Chronicle reported that John received 64 votes to Michael Laws’ 41. Out of the also-rans, Randhir Dayha, Russell Fleming and Chandra Osborne, only Russell Fleming secured one vote.

People who heard the candidates speak on Monday night were asked to say who they would vote for if an election was held tomorrow, and in another question, 57 percent said hearing the candidates speak helped them decide who to vote for.

"It’s a great result, four weeks out from the election," says John Martin. "Most importantly, it reflects what I have been hearing all over the district. There’s a growing mood for change with people focusing particularly on mayoral style and wanting to see Wanganui’s image rebuilt after the unfortunate effects of the past three years."

John said the question and answer format of Monday’s forum gave candidates the chance to discuss real issues, as well as show their ability to project a mayoral style that the city can relate to. "I think the poll result was a reflection of that. But it’s also good to be able to interact with people at a more personal level at the meetings I’m having around Wanganui and I invite anyone who is interested in gaining a deeper understanding of who I am and my approach to the mayoralty to come along, hear what I’ve got to say, and ask questions about issues that concern them."

You can meet John at Wanganui East Bowling Club at 7pm on Tuesday September 25, and further meeting dates and venues will be advertised in the press and on this website.

Media Release 14/09/07 - Walkway, Fitting Memorial to Chas Poynter

Wanganui Mayoral candidate John Martin says completion of the riverfront walkway provides a good opportunity to honour Chas Poynter's 27 years service to the city and district. "Since Chas's untimely death last month we have been reminded how seriously he took his responsibilities as guardian of our environment, and how much he wanted all people of Wanganui to be proud of and cherish our river," said Mr Martin. "I'd suggest that council and Iwi consider naming the walkway after Chas.

I'd also like to see the Council make a commitment to complete the work started by Mayor Poynter's council and set out in their 2003 Long Term Plan, which envisioned completion of a walkway from Aramoho to the sea. "Mr Martin said restoring community pride in and enjoyment of the Whanganui River was a key goal of the 2003 plan, which also set out a commitment to continued development of the walkway.

"Chas's council took the big step of starting work on the new sewerage scheme, and that's really the starting point for a new focus on the river for both city and district," said Mr Martin. "I can't think of a better way to honour Chas than to name the walkway for him and to work together to finish the job he started."

Media Release 12/09/07 - Lets Look to the Future

Let's look to the future, Wanganui's rapidly growing debt needs to be brought under control, says Mayoral contender John Martin. "As ratepayers we owe $30 million more than we did just three years ago and unless there's a change of approach, city debt will balloon even further beyond the current $70 million," he said. "It's obvious that a new Council, with a new approach, is needed to tackle this risk to the future well-being of our city." John said there would inevitably be a big impact on people's ability to afford their rates and on the Council's ability to maintain services. "It's time to shift the focus from money-losing events and non-essential but costly 'frills'.

Three years of 'impulse spending' have simply added to our debt without seeing any meaningful investment in basic infrastructure, apart from the sewerage scheme which was well under way under Chas Poynter's council. He said Wanganui had been able to control rates reasonably well in recent years due to the sound decisions made by previous councils to ensure that major projects like storm-water separation were completed on a pay-as-you-go basis. Increased property values had provided additional windfalls in rates take. But it was now time to get debt under control without 'standing still' as a council.

"My first job as mayor will be to lead the development of a genuine strategic plan based on a consensus about where Wanganui wants to be in 15 years. Once we've done that we can map the plan back from there, ensuring that both mandatory and optional projects are achievable. "John, a former international business manager, said development of a strategic vision for the city could only be done by a Council that was prepared to take a long-term view and genuinely wanted to involve people in decisions about a sustainable future rather than short-term 'baubles'.

"The community needs to help develop a long-term plan and understand where and when various projects can be implemented. "We all want to see new amenities and attractions for Wanganui so it is important that these are part of a realistic plan and can be delivered without denying essential infrastructure programmes."

Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery

The PositiveWanganui Blog is the official web presence for John Martin - Mayoral Candidate, Wanganui 2007. The blog was set up as a valid and informative resource for voters, interested in John Martin.

As opposed to websites, Blogs are free to set-up and maintain, suiting our budget and the temporary needs of an electoral campaign.

It has come to our attention that recently, 'Vision Wanganui' has set up 2 websites with the exact same content as their official site www.visionwanganui.com under the names www.positivewanganui.com and www.positivewanganui.co.nz ! This may be a coincidence, albeit an unfortunate and unlikely one.

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then PositiveWanganui Blog is flattered. It is telling that this 'flattery' is probably more costly than our valid resource.

We are not interested in hindering voters from finding out information about opponents, to the contrary we encourage it. The democratic process is about voters making an informed decision from a range of candidates.

If you want to find out more about 'Vision', follow the links above, make up your own mind and let them know what you think.

Whatever your decision, the important thing is to VOTE on October 13th 2007 and exercise your democratic right to choose your own representatives in local government.

John Martin and Positive Wanganui Blog encourage your contact and if you have any questions regarding John Martin, the campaign or other issues, please feel free to contact him positivewanganui@gmail.com .

For a list of all candidates for Local Body / District Health Board Elections visit: www.wanganui.govt.nz (Candidate profiles and pictures will be available from the 21st September 2007).

Media Release 10/09/07 - Social and Cultural Wellbeing

Wanganui needs collaboration rather than confrontation to rebuild its social and cultural confidence.

It’s no good focusing on expensive capital projects if we don’t also pay attention to our most important assets – our people and community organisations.

Many groups have taken a battering over the last three years and been made to feel they are not valued. We have to change that, and make sure everyone feels their contributions are respected and their needs are recognised.

I will encourage the new council to review the system of grants to voluntary organisations, many of which had struggled to survive as the Council’s Community Contracts funding process became focused on financial measures.

I would like to see a bi-annual ‘Festival Of The River’ to show-case all of our cultural riches in a unique celebration promoting a positive Wanganui.

Whanganui Hospital has suffered from much negative publicity yet it continues to provide a valuable service for residents. The Council needs to move quickly to re-establish a strategic working relationship with the hospital and create a positive environment for the recruitment of medical staff.

We need a strategic development plan for our riverfront and heritage precinct and to find ways to encourage and assist the redevelopment of our unique heritage asset in a contemporary environment.

Above all, people want a Mayor who treats everyone with respect and dignity and a Council that can listen and learn from the people it represents.

We need to work as a community to find answers to issues that make the community feel at risk, including boy-racers and graffiti artists. I’m keen to bring our youth and related agencies together to put their ideas into practice.

THESE WILL BE URGENT ISSUES FOR ME AS MAYOR AND I'LL MOVE QUICKLY
TO GET ALL INTERESTED GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS WORKING
TOGETHER FOR A BETTER FUTURE – John Martin