Councillor can become ?swamped? by electronic requests, as face-to-face contact dwindles
By Jamie Melbourne-Hayward
Harbour Ward Councillor Joy Baird says she doesn?t run community clinics anymore because the low turnout has been ?terribly unprofitable?. In regard to engaging with constituents she says councillors' ?emails and contacts are published, and it?s more sensible to have contact by email and talking on the phone?.
She says one downside of electronic communication is that you can be swamped with people?s ideas all at one time.
?People can spontaneously ?sound off? through email in a way they wouldn?t do over the telephone.
?Although, the last person to be abrupt was on the telephone, over a Seaview marina issue,? she says.
Political participation is per the norm in her area, with voting rates slightly higher at a local government level in Eastbourne.
?It?s about 40-45 percent in the city and around 50 percent in Eastbourne ? not terribly high.
?I?ve found that if people want to talk with me about something then they will bring up the issue,? she says.
Advertising for face-to-face meetings is one way to work against a general sense of political apathy says Mrs Baird, and attending local meetings also works well to keep on top of arising issues. She attends Petone and Eastbourne community board meetings and says the public forums can bring about new issues.
Her most recent round of community contact has been around the Percy Scenic Reserve and the LTCCP requests. Speaking of larger issues for the area she says her agenda at the moment is dominated by the Petone Vision Statement and the district plan review.
?The location of accommodation is an issue, high density housing is a key one, and for hotel and commercial buildings.
?Protecting heritage is also important,? she says.
