About Jason
Candidate Statement
Hi-Viz and work boots? We build this city, and we keep it moving. Swing on spanners or hammers, frontline, hospo or retail, you deserve to be heard. Over 20 years in All areas of the Transport Industry, I have sat on various boards, H&S committees, and written sensible SOPs and manuals.
I warned at the last election of irresponsible spending in this city. Now here we are. Government is stepping in and mandating the same things that I called for.
We need a council that works For the ratepayers. There is no room for party politics in Local Government.Cycle lanes, bus stops and speed humps have their place, but not at the expense of traffic flow.
Reduce city principle debt, focusing on fit for purpose infrastructure and value returning investments. Growth requires affordability.
We need Transparency and accessible Councillors, 2-hour parking, safer streets and communities. Let's Fix Our Roads!
Candidate Profile Questions
1. What would be your top three priorities for Council the next three years?
Fix the roads - make them usable and allow traffic flow. From potholes to unstabilized roadbeds, traffic flow inhibiting speedhumps to in-lane bus stops. Action is needed to allow our commutes to be less stressful and less damaging to our vehicles.
Reduce Debt-debts need to be repaid. Loans and mortgages need to be repaid, why should Council debt (OUR debt) be any different? Deferring it to future generations is NOT the answer. Tough decisions will have to be made, but reprioritising Council income to lower debt is paramount.
Listen to Ratepayers-We see our money thrown around at projects that are tone-deaf to what Ratepayers want and need. The majority of us are either too busy or too tired to make submissions to every fanciful idea the Council comes up with. Councillors need to get out into the community and talk to the real residents.
2. What is your aspiration for Hamilton Kirikiriroa?
To be an affordable city that we can all enjoy living in.
Where we can get from one side to the other smoothly and stress-free.
Where our kids can feel safe and valued.
To be a city that we can all be proud to live in.
3. How do you think Council could best use opportunities to meet the key challenges we are facing?
The best opportunity Council can utilise to meet key challenges is consultation.
Consultation with everyday citizens. There is untold wisdom and experience in the communities, and this is a largely untapped resource.
Casual opportunities for Residents and Ratepayers to meet and talk with elected Councillors at public events, roadside BBQs, park and playground meet and greets.
Councillors should work FOR Ratepayers.
4. If there was one thing you could change about Hamilton Kirikiriroa immediately, what would it be?
The state of our Roads.
5. What qualities would you bring to Council that will help our city thrive?
That I listen to the Residents of Hamilton. I will hear your complaints, criticisms, and ideas, and advocate YOUR views to Council meetings.
Short of my broad views on Roading and financial discipline, it's not about what I want, it's a bout what WE want as Residents and Ratepayers.
I'm not afraid to say NO.
And I'm not afraid to speak up on behalf of the silent majority.
I am not a career politician, I'm a tradesman. So ACTUALLY fixing things is in my DNA.
I get things done.
(The motorcycle project and unfinished bathroom WILL get done, one day, I promise ... )
6. Where can voters go to learn more about you?
Social media: Jason Jonassen Hamilton East
Content supplied by candidate.