I have been meeting my fellow candidates daily for the last few days in order to understand the reasons behind their candidacy, the issues that we may differ on, and of course, to talk about preferences.
It is a long held belief by many in the community that Greens candidates always preference Labor candidates - that a vote for the Greens is essentially a vote for Labor. This is not true. It wasn't true in the last Federal Election and I can categorically state that I will not be preferencing any endorsed Labor candidates in these Local Government Elections.
I will be preferencing candidates which have similar beliefs and ideas as me. Candidates who are passionate about Frankston and changing the way the wider community (ie. the rest of Melbourne) views our beautiful City.
It also seems to be a belief held by some people in the community that Greens candidates are automatically against any big developments (such as the Marina) and other issues. For my thoughts on the marina, please see my blog post on it here. I am a candidate that takes everything on merit. If elected, I will measure up the pros and cons of every development and issue which requires my vote, taking advice and listening to opinions from those in the community that the issue or development may affect. It's important to me that Frankston is a terrific City for years and years to come. Will our children thank us for making these decisions? Will WE thank ourselves in the coming years for these decisions?
Everything requires thought and everything requires serious thought.
I will be attending the Friends of Frankston's Film Night tonight. It is being held at the Uniting Church, 18 High Street, Frankston at 7.30pm. The film being shown is David Bradbury's look at Council Elections in Byron Bay; "The Battle for Byron". Sounds like an interesting film and I look forward to meeting those who are attending.
Showing posts with label community. Show all posts
Showing posts with label community. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Riding around Town
From today onwards, you may see me around Frankston riding my new (used!) bike. I'm the guy with the Greens stickers on his helmet.
I think it's important to walk the walk, and since I am running on a "less reliance on cars" platform, I will not be using my car in this campaign (except if my wife and children are attending events or shopping with me, or it's my turn to pick up the kids!). I think that for short trips it is quite easy to invest in a bicycle or, even easier, to walk to the local shops! I understand that for longer trips, it's almost impossible to walk (public transport, perhaps?). For those with young children (like myself), it can be very difficult walking to the shops. Have a go anyway!
Alongside this, we need to increase public transport. The Frankston railway line needs to be extended to Baxter, and Councils (as well as communities) need to band together to lobby State Government to increase the number of services and the quality of these services (rail and bus).
Another idea I have is for an inner and outer loop situation, where we can link up stations towards the end of certain lines (Frankston, Cranbourne, Dandenong, Glen Waverley, Nunawading, and so on). The inner loop (which is not so much a Frankston issue) would link up stations such as Caulfield with East Malvern and across to Box Hill. Don't get me wrong. These are major works and require more thought and process than what i've outlined here (tunnels or no tunnels? Stations in between these outer loop stations?) but I think it is a credible idea.
Ideas are important and the most realistic ideas are going to come from one source : the community for whom these ideas are required. That's why I am, on this election campaign, going to link up with community groups at meetings and find out what ideas THEY have. Let's give the community a true, genuine ear on Council. It's about time!
I think it's important to walk the walk, and since I am running on a "less reliance on cars" platform, I will not be using my car in this campaign (except if my wife and children are attending events or shopping with me, or it's my turn to pick up the kids!). I think that for short trips it is quite easy to invest in a bicycle or, even easier, to walk to the local shops! I understand that for longer trips, it's almost impossible to walk (public transport, perhaps?). For those with young children (like myself), it can be very difficult walking to the shops. Have a go anyway!
Alongside this, we need to increase public transport. The Frankston railway line needs to be extended to Baxter, and Councils (as well as communities) need to band together to lobby State Government to increase the number of services and the quality of these services (rail and bus).
Another idea I have is for an inner and outer loop situation, where we can link up stations towards the end of certain lines (Frankston, Cranbourne, Dandenong, Glen Waverley, Nunawading, and so on). The inner loop (which is not so much a Frankston issue) would link up stations such as Caulfield with East Malvern and across to Box Hill. Don't get me wrong. These are major works and require more thought and process than what i've outlined here (tunnels or no tunnels? Stations in between these outer loop stations?) but I think it is a credible idea.
Ideas are important and the most realistic ideas are going to come from one source : the community for whom these ideas are required. That's why I am, on this election campaign, going to link up with community groups at meetings and find out what ideas THEY have. Let's give the community a true, genuine ear on Council. It's about time!
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