A TEAM APPROACH
August 2, 2010
It's all a matter of TEAMWORK
The Rates Control Team is bringing a team approach to the local body election in 2010.
Politicians find it difficult to build a close relationship with their community. This is exemplified by the 37% voters turn out. Perhaps the community does not feel involved!
Our team approach was to gain support/endorsement from community representative groups. Hamilton Grey Power, Hamilton Citizens and Ratepayers Association and Hamilton Federated Farmers Executive have again endorsed our team. We believe this also gives those people not personally involved in such group’s confidence that we identify with community core values and consequently confidence in the direction.
A team can offer appropriate support for those potential candidates who have the qualities necessary to represent their community. A team can support and give confidence to those unsure and can accurately describe the workload and obligations. Within this concept includes the vision of succession planning.
The imperative is a sensible selection process which looks to build a balanced skilled supportive team of candidates that will deliver good governance for the community. Nothing is guaranteed, but it offers a viable alternative to the stand alone candidate and the possible problems associated with electing 12 candidates and hoping they will work cooperatively together for the community.
A political team will be accountable. The media will pick up on any indiscretions. The team will ride or fall on the behaviour of any one member. In contrast the stand alone councillor may avoid the personal responsibility and not be taken to task, thus avoiding that accountability.
Above all, a team has the ability to choose a candidate with a skill base that will compliment the team in the areas of responsibility required for good decision making.
Anthony Armstrong
11/11/09
