Sign In
or Create a new account
Should the Hastings continue to have a popularly elected Mayor?
This online discussion forum has concluded. You can still browse the site but the discussion area will no longer accept new comments or votes.
Currently the Mayor of the Hastings is elected by the voters as part of the Council election process. Do you think this system should be retained or should the Councillors vote among themseleves to elect a Mayor.
This online discussion forum has concluded. You can still browse the site but the discussion area will no longer accept new comments or votes.
Comment 1 29 Oct 2009, 11:05 PM
YES WE NEED A MAYOR ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE.
Comment 2 30 Oct 2009, 6:25 AM
Yes.
Comment 3 4 Nov 2009, 10:55 AM
Yes, I think that the community should continue to vote for the Mayor.
Comment 4 4 Nov 2009, 1:12 PM
No, I believe that a "popularly" elected mayor becomses a popularity contest and does not ensure that the mayor is a person who can work with all other councillors. However, there should be consideration to a councillor elected mayor holding the office for more than one year as was done in the past.
Comment 5 26 Nov 2009, 11:12 AM
My concern with having a popularly elected Mayor is that the candidate with the biggest advertising budget is likely to win but may not be the best person for the job. If the State Government moves to reform the electoral system and imposes a cap on election campaign spending as well as limiting the size of donations then we would get a fairer result.
Comment 5.1 14 Jan 2010, 11:32 AM
A fair result can only come if the community have a say in this which is their right. Isn't it better to have 50 to 60,000 people chose their mayor rather than 9, 7 or 5 elected members which would only encourage factionalism?
Comment 6 2 Dec 2009, 3:49 PM
The Mayor is there for the people and they should be elected for the people.
Comment 7 21 Dec 2009, 11:08 AM
YES
Comment 8 27 Dec 2009, 11:45 AM
Yes, a Mayor elected by the people supports the democratic process and this process should be maintained. A Mayor elected by the councillors would appear to encourage and the 'us and them' devision within the elected ranks.Political factions need to focus on working together for the sake of the community rather than proping up their own power bases.
