Disclaimer
The information on this page has been provided by the candidates. It does not reflect the views or positions of Auckland Council.
Jamaine Sonny ROSS
Candidate for Waitākere Ranges Local Board
Candidate statement
Tēnā koutou kātoa. I'm running to be a Waitākere Ranges Local Board member, and have one request: Don't Vote For Me. So, why put myself forward for a job I don't want? Because I told a room of 20 people I was going do it, and when I say I'm going to do something, I do it, even if I don't want to do it. I'm a busy father, husband and television director, so I don't have time for this. If I won, I'd be spending less time with my cute 5-year-old daughter. If you vote for me, you'll break her heart. I also don't have the necessary skillset. Apparently it involves lots of reading official documents. The only things I read are Young Adult novels set in post-apocalyptic futures. So don't vote for me. This isn't reverse psychology. I'm serious. Don't vote for me. I don't want this job.
Why I want to be elected
Firstly, I don't want to be elected. I'm too busy and lack the skillset to be a Local Board Member. So, Don't Vote For Jamaine. However, if I do get elected, I'll ask a lot of questions and people will probably get annoyed with me because I'll be spending the entire time trying to figure out what the hell a Local Board Member does.
My key skills and qualities
Again, the goal is to NOT get elected. So, Don't Vote For Jamaine. But to outline my skills and qualities, most of my skills are in the realm of television production as a director. For example: telling the camera operator where to put the camera, telling the lighting designer where to put the lights, telling the actor they're terrible and to get the hell off my set, those kinds of things. Additionally, I possess the ability to read long books, play with lego, and take naps during the day.
My top three key issues
My number one issue is: convincing people not to vote for me. My number two issue is: convincing people it's important to vote in the upcoming local body elections. My number three issue is: convincing people it's important not to vote for me in the upcoming local body elections.
My position on key topics
Transport
As previously stated, my main kaupapa is to NOT become an elected member of the Waitākere Ranges Local Board. However, I think investment in extensive and reliable public transport is more important than investment in roads. But I don't have any evidence to back up this point of view. This is more of a 'feel the vibes' thing. But I don't want to be elected so Don't Vote For Jamaine!
Water
Again, I don't want to be elected, so don't vote for me. On the issue of water, I know nothing about it except that every day, I should apparently be drinking 3 litres of it. I didn't even realise politicians were involved in it. Isn't that what Watercare is for? Aren't they experts at water? I reckon we just hire the most experty experts and leave them to it. Don't Vote For Jamaine!
Built environment
Once again, I don't want to be elected, so don't vote for me. One time my daughter said, "Pāpā, why are the shops so far away from our house?" And I went on a 5-minute rant about how urban sprawl sucks. Then another time, I was staying at my brother's apartment in Sydney and he had 3 supermarkets in walking distance, and I was like, "This rules!" So, I think we need more medium and high-density housing in walking distance of shops and public transport. Don't Vote For Jamaine!
Natural environment
I know I've said it a lot, but I can't say it enough, I don't want to be elected so don't vote for me. Te Taiao (the environment) is super important for Tāmaki Makaurau. Not only cos being around nature feels good, but also other scientific reasons I can't articulate. So, we should look after Te Taiao with particular focus on native flora and fauna. I have nothing to back this up, just feels right vibe-wise. Don't Vote For Jamaine!
Community
There's only a limited number of ways I can articulate that I don't want you to vote for me. To be honest, I'm not really a 'community' kind of guy. I like to do my own thing. Local Board Member isn't a solo job though so there's other people to think about that stuff. I don't have to be an expert on everything do I? Hopefully I won't have to find out. Don't Vote For Jamaine!
Economic and cultural development
I don't want to be a Local Board Member, never have, never will. I don't understand how 'economic' and 'cultural' development are grouped together as an issue. They don't seem connected at all. My issue is that they should be 2 separate issues. And if I get in (which I hope I don't), I'll be insisting potential candidates be asked about these issues separately. Don't Vote For Jamaine!
Well-managed local government and outcomes for Māori
Oh my gosh. This is worse than the 'economic and cultural development' debacle of 20 seconds ago. The character limit is too low for me to properly articulate my ideas on this broad range of issues but suffice to say that I want good health for everybody. Don't Vote For Jamaine!
Candidate's supporting links
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