Simon Prast With local body elections just over a month away, gay business associations are ensuring their communities get the chance to hear what candidates have to say. The Gay Auckland Business Association is continuing its long tradition of having mayoral, council and community board candidates speak. Its electoral forum on Wednesday 1st September at Symonds St's Dot's Bar will look at what the new super city structure may mean for GLBT people. It will seek to answer the questions: What does the Super City mean to you? As the current regional and territorial authorities move towards becoming a single, unitary council in October 2010, what is the new structure, and how could it affect you? Who are the candidates that could be the voice of GLBT issues on the Super City? Independent mayoral candidate Simon Prast will give a guide to the Super City structure before outlining his own electoral policies. The candidates who will speak and take questions are: Christopher Dempsey (City Vision - Waitemata Local Board) Bruce Kilmister (City Vision - Waitemata Local Board) Claudette Hauiti (Citizens and Ratepayers - Albert Eden Local Board, Owairaka Subdivision) Simon Randell (Independent - Maungakiekie-Tamaki Local Board, Maungakiekie Subdivision) Ray Therkleson (Independent - Waitemata Local Board) Any other GLBT candidates who are standing in local body elections are welcome to speak, they can arrange to do so by contacting gaba president Glenn Sims through president@gaba.org.nz GABA will also auction a few left over items from its Jubilee Dinner and Charity Auction before presenting a cheque to the Charitable Trust. Jim Anderton Mayoral candidate Jim Anderton will speak at the next BIZWITS event run by Christchurch's GBA on Tuesday 31st August, at the Elevate Function Centre. Anderton will speak on the topic of 'balancing economic and social goals: my vision for Christchurch". He will be joined byPaul Findlay, candidate for the Hagley-Ferrymead Community Board, who will speak on 'inner city revitalisation and our communities'. Entry to the BIZWITS event is $10 for non-members and $5 for members. To RSVP or for any enquiries contact:Nikki Smith nikki.home@xtra.co.nz or 021 2556060. Gaba electoral forum: 1st September, Dots Bar, 223 Symonds Streets, Auckland from 6pm. GBA's BIZWITS with Jim Anderton and Paul Findlay, 31st August, Elevate Function Centre 2 Colombo St, Cashmere, Christchurch, from 5.30pm.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Saturday, 28th August 2010 - 11:29am