Media Release
New Vision for Hutt City
19 July 2010
Its official, former deputy mayor Ray Wallace has announced that he is going to contest the Hutt City Mayoralty in the election to be held later this year. Mr Wallace says “There are a number of good reasons why I’m standing, it’s time for a change and a new vision for Hutt City”
Mr Wallace ran a very close race for the Mayoralty in the last election missing out by only 226 votes. He has worked as a productive member on the Council over the past two and half years and now believes he is the right person to lead the city towards a new direction which many residents feel it needs.
Mr Wallace says it is now time to invest in our city and move it forward to a positive and vibrant future. “I have always supported prudent financial management and will continue to do so however we need investment in key infrastructure. We have many assets that are now coming to the end of their lives and should be replaced, we must invest in core infrastructure such as more flood and storm-water protection, parks, reserves and other assets that improve the lifestyle of our residents.
Mr Wallace is also keen to see Hutt City maximise its natural assets such as the river and parks to encourage Inner city living and help breathe life back into the central city.
Mr Wallace wants to see Lower Hutt known as the Technology City of the region. “We have some wonderful technology based businesses here in the Hutt, Council needs to be working more closely with those businesses to encourage employment and growth opportunities. We have many highly skilled people in the city and Council needs to support those people in turning the Technology City brand in to a reality, If we do that we will get the employment and growth we need”.
“We need to be working more closely with business in general and giving encouragement to them and people out in the community who are working hard to improve the city”.
Mr Wallace feels the good work being carried out by Business Hutt Valley and the Chamber of Commerce has gone unacknowledged in the past. “We need to be working shoulder to shoulder with these groups, giving them the encouragement and support they need to continue their good work”
Mr Wallace is keen to work towards building an excellent relationship with Regional Council to ensure that Hutt City ratepayers get the support they are entitled to.
Mr Wallace is standing for the Mayoralty and Council as an independent candidate. “There are some very high calibre candidates standing for council both old and new, it would be my honour to work with them and together create the Hutt City the residents want and deserve. I have every faith that the voters will choose the right candidates to best represent them.” Said Mr Wallace.