Nominations bring elections one step closer
GEORGE GARDNER
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Two latecomers in the bid for a seat on the Waiheke Local Board threw their hats in the ring just before the nominations closed on Friday.
Marijke Ransom and Paul Walden filled out their forms at Planit cafe in Ostend, backed by two high profile residents – former politician Sandra Lee and peace activist Kit Nelson.
Ms Lee says it is important for the public to support "younger islanders" who are familiar with the island but who have "the old values".
She says: "It's time to give the island a younger voice."
Ms Ransom and Mr Walden are running together with Allen Davies. They are calling themselves Absolutely Waiheke.
Mr Davies says Mr Walden's family has been associated with the island for over 100 years, Ms Ransom was brought up on the island and that he has been associated with the island for 60 years.
Who nominated who
Who's nominating who has become a topic of debate for islanders keen to know what their local board candidates are standing for and who is behind them.
Colin Beardon was nominated by his wife Christine, and chairman of Waiheke Island Planning Group Pita Rikys.
Allen Davies was nominated by longtime resident Margaret Mills of Forest & Bird and his granddaughter Constance Davies.
Jim Hannan was nominated by former director of Fullers Keith Johnston and good friend Ken Edwards. He says they are all Vision Waiheke members – a group of islanders, including some top business people, who "believe in preserving the island's beauty".
Jo Holmes was nominated by current and former Waiheke Community Board chairpersons Tony Sears and Kate Hastings, saying their "no-nonsense, get things done" approach is aligned with how she operates.
Photographer Graham Hooper says he was happy to be nominated by his good friends – musicians Chris Orange and Paul Haines.
Eme Kilkenny was nominated by Waiheke Community Board member Eileen Evans and good friend Frankie Felton.
Don McKenzie was nominated by Ewing Stevens and Ken Edwards.
Current councillor Denise Roche was nominated by her husband John Stansfield and Dorte Wray of the Waste Resource Trust.
Herb Romaniuk is going for his third term on the board and was nominated by former Fullers director Keith Johnston and Dr Barnett Bond.
Former Gulf Islands councillor Faye Storer was nominated by former Waiheke Community Board chairman and current board member Ray Ericson and longtime friend and peace activist Maynie Thompson.
Andy Spence was nominated by Alan Knight and Jenness Reeve.
Ewen Sutherland was nominated by his friends Janet Layard-Liesching and Richard Standfield from Waiheke Workout.
Millie Watkins was nominated by her partner Andrew Watkins and good friend Sacha Paddy.
Dorte Wray was nominated by Denise Roche and her mother Linda Hodson.
We were unable to contact candidate Charissa Snijders by press time.
- Waiheke Marketplace
