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4 — Centralian Advocate, Friday, March 9, 2012 PUB: CADV DATE: 9-MAR-2012 PAGE: 4 COLOR: C M Y K Bike of the Month 125cc • 4-stroke • Fuel injected air-cooled engine 31 Elder Street, Alice Springs Ph: 8952 0888 763605/12 XTZ 1200 Super Tenere Yamaha YZ125 2004 $3490 USED BIKES Beewee Last chance to buy these bikes as most are being sent away for wholesale. 125 Husqvarna SM450 2008 $8500 Yamaha R15 Demo 2011 $4150 Yamaha XVS650 2010 $9900 Yamaha MT01 Demo 2010 $18500 Yamaha Tenere Demo 2010 $14000 493605/12 NEWS What we’ll do for you Charlie Dick Eli Melky Dave Douglas Vince Jeisman Matt Campbell Jade Kudrenko Steve Brown Samih Habib-Bitar Chansey Paech Dianne Logan Brendan Heenan Liz Martin Edan Baxter John Reid Geoff Booth John Reid: ‘‘The operations of the ASTC in areas such as policy, planning and development of infrastructure can be achieved in a more respectful and collaborative way if a social inclusion policy was adopted. ‘‘Thankfully, this objective has been achieved, with the develop- ment and implementation of the Community Action Plan which is about delivering real evidence- based outcomes to the town’s economic and social issues. ‘‘If this process can realise the same results as the Port Augusta Town Council’s Social Vision and Action Plan, I believe it can become the new policy, the new model, the new respectful ap- proach to working together.’’ Dianne Logan: ‘‘If I am elected I want a united effort between fellow councillors and both levels of government so we can work towards a safe and vibrant environment with ongo- ing fun experiences for locals and visitors.’’ Bring the CBD alive — have an active role in working with busi- ness, industry and the commun- ity to rejuvenate the CBD by incorporating solar energy pro- grams; Work together with tour- ism and local business to get our town stimulated to increase tourism opportunities; I will work hard for the Alice Springs Youth Centre to obtain grants to en- able them to prosper in their proposed project; Adopt a Park; Beautifying the Todd River banks. Eli Melky: ‘‘Hello Alice Springs, I am a family man raising two boys with my wife of 22 years (local girl). I coach young athletes and bas- ketball. Gianna and I operate a small business in finance and real estate. ‘‘My hope is no different to yours — a safer, cleaner town for us all to live in. I support action for lower rates and lower dumping fees, graffiti removal by council and better facilities and mainten- ance of our parks. ‘‘Let’s bring back confidence in tourism and for doing business in Alice. Together with your support, we can make change for the better.’’ Edan Baxter: ‘‘I’ve nominated as a councillor candidate to bring some fresh thinking into the discussion. I want to focus on longer-term strategies for Alice Springs, including: Sup- port for a regular law and culture gathering; A solar-thermal array; Making Alice a bike-friendly town; A ‘safe roads, fair rates and more recycling’ approach; Numerous art and tourism in- itiatives (e.g. CBD street-scape galleries.); A yearly youth forum and community dance event. ‘‘If elected, I’ll work hard to see the 12th Alice Springs Town Council support realistic and responsible initiatives that will make our town an even better place to live, work and visit.’’ Jade Kudrenko: ‘‘I am proud to be a born and raised Alice Springs local. I went to school here and am now making meaningful contribut- ions to the town through my work and role as a foster parent. ‘‘I believe we need a positive approach to youth services, reinvestment in the Todd River and Charles Creek Management Plans, smart planning for our CBD to be the heart of the ‘Alice Experience’ and reintroduction of a tree register to protect the town’s mature trees. ‘‘I want to give back to Alice and I am committed to working collaboratively with others on council to achieve progressive outcomes for all town residents.’’ Chansey Paech: ‘‘I will work as part of a council team to put a positive voice forward to continue developing our town. ‘‘We need to focus on what is achievable and financially re- sponsible. I’d like to see our public places such as parks and areas in the CBD become more welcoming and family-friendly, with more watering points along our bike paths. ‘‘Local government has a role to play in the provision of quality childcare and I will work to ensure there are more places to meet the needs of parents. ‘‘I want to give something back to the town that has been so supportive of me and my family over many generations.’’ Geoff Booth: ‘‘I have been a resident of Alice Springs for 13 years. During this time I have been involved in several businesses and various community organisations. ‘‘My commitment, if elected, is to ensure council responsibilities are addressed and delivered and guarantee that people’s voices are heard.’’ Other commitments: Zero toler- ance on law and order; Investigate reducing the increasing costs i.e. rates and dump fees; Work to- gether with local business for economic development; Investig- ate increasing CBD car parking and improve public transportation; Clean up the town; Have a robust relationship with tourism oper- ators to offset the challenges ahead; Lobbying governments for a second airline, police presence and sporting events. Matt Campbell: ‘‘I have two broad goals that will underpin my work on council if elected. ‘‘The first is that council takes seriously its role in promoting social cohesion, the second is to ensure that council engages in good decision-making practices. ‘‘I am confident that a council that commits itself to these two things will not just ‘talk the talk’ but ‘walk the walk’ of creating the Alice Springs we all want. ‘‘Working cooperatively, even in the face of disagreement, gives council the best chance of fulfilling its role of being an ‘informed and responsible de- cision maker in the interests of its constituency’.’’ Dave Douglas: ‘‘A long-term resident and successful business- man with a demonstrated record of giving generously to the Alice Springs community is committed to working vigorously towards addressing the confronting social issues facing our town while ensuring traditional council re- sponsibilities are maintained to the highest standard. ‘‘Let’s improve our town’s im- age, making it pleasing and at- tractive to both visitors and locals, enforcing our bylaws, particularly addressing litter issues, while sup- porting initiatives to improve our national and international image working towards increasing visi- tation rates. We are a town with both a strong sense of community and one that provides opportunit- ies for those with vision and energy. We must preserve this.’’ Liz Martin: ‘‘I know it’s not the popular position but roads, rates and rubbish are the core busi- ness of council and should not be minimised. ‘‘We need to continue to lobby for increased funding for our local roads, to ensure that rates are commensurate with the real cost of service provision and ensure that our new re- gional waste facility maximises its potential for resource recov- ery. I’d like to see increased resources for our ranger depart- ment, Alice Solar Cities con- tinued, an increased focus on tourism and programs for youth coupled with better utilisation of our library, aquatic centre and sporting grounds.’’ Samih Habib-Bitar: ‘‘As time changes, the needs of our town change with it, and I am deter- mined to continue to address all the issues that must be dealt with to make our town safe.’’ These include: More police in Alice Springs with increased power and resources and our own call center; A youth policy which will remove our children on the street to a safe house; Graffiti removed by council and treated as a budget item; A landfill policy to remove charges from recyclable materials and green waste; Ad- dress the issues around decentral- isation; Flood mitigation; Alice Springs needs a second airline; Beautification program for the town inviting community involve- ment. Vince Jeisman: ‘‘If elected on March 24 as councillor, I will work with the mayor and the other elected councillors through the established commit- tee system to protect and in- crease the wealth and wellbeing of our community. ‘‘I am interested that council be open. The best way for this to happen is for the community to take an active interest and have information and evidence to give their ideas an opportunity in discussions. Rumour and ‘shooting from the lip’ is not a good thing for the town. ‘‘I am also concerned that regulation and rates be moni- tored compared to other similar jurisdictions so as not to be a burden on the town’s future.’’ Brendan Heenan: ‘‘The major responsibilities for the ASTC are the care of roads, rates and rubbish. ‘‘I want council to deal with graffiti and work with the Youth Hub and youth to find a solution to stop graffiti vandalism and visual pollution: To keep supporting tourism in encouraging large groups and visitors to come to the Alice to help with the economy and jobs: Encourage the NT Government to bring on the Kilgariff subdivision as fast as possible and to make at least 150 blocks available in the first release and land available for first-home buyers at a reasonable rate. I would like council to pressure both levels of government to employ more social workers to help youth and families in town camps.’’ Steve Brown: ‘‘There are a few who continue to argue vehemently that council has no role in addressing law and order. I say, yes they have! ‘‘As the voice of Alice, it is absolutely the place of elected councillors to speak up. This week’s spike in crime should see an immediate, indignant response from our mayor, who should be banging on the Chief Minister’s door demanding proper law enforcement, looking at direct action using bylaws and rangers and, if necessary, call- ing on community assistance. ‘‘Proper law enforcement is the structural base that Alice needs to turn its economy around.’’ Aaron ‘‘Charlie’’ Dick: ‘‘I stand for improved community relation- ships, stronger outcomes for the tourism industry and investment in a cultural and historical centre located at Kilgariff. ‘‘I will provide the largest out- door ampitheatre in the southern hemisphere to be located near the Finke track and catering for music events, plays and outdoor confer- ences. I will highlight positive stories in the community and provide solutions to issues divid- ing us. I advocate innovative infrastructure development target- ing tourism by council working with other layers of government. I don’t support a youth curfew; I support take-away-free days and recognition of the Todd River. THE Centralian Advocate asked the councillor candi- dates in the upcoming Alice Springs Town Council elec- tion to outline their platform.
