Brian Anderson The Western Front www.sunlive.co.nz

The job description suggests that the champion is a leader, but leadership is not a position or a right. Leadership is granted by people. I have been looking without success for the leader in the Western Bay who leads from the front, who speaks clearly, everyone knows where he is going and everyone wants to follow. It looks like our new urban champion will not be a leader. That we have had an urban champion for so long and not even heard about it ruins any hopes for a true leader.

Perhaps the champion will be a communicator. The mayor is responsible for the odd paragraph in the paper from time to time and averages only about a hundred words a month. Any replies or questions allowed in the newspaper have been greeted with charges of negativity and of twisting council documents. There would be no room for a communicating champion in this closed environment.

Perhaps the urban champion will work with the community boards to help develop each town for the benefit of the people. Did I mention community boards? No future there. It seems the new the urban champion is part of the Omokoroa Model already and that work will continue. Community boards won't be high on this champion's to do list.

Perhaps the urban champion will be supporting Katikati? No chance there. Council isn't thinking of a first Comprehensive Development Plan for Katikati until 2016, well after the next election. There will be no reason for the champion to put any effort into that town. Probably Te Puke will get some attention to spread the Omokoroa doctrine. They have reported that Te Puke is almost up to Omokoroa's standard. The other towns are still well behind.

Perhaps the task is to stand in front of the mayor and fight for the people. Oh, I am sure the champion will fight for Built Environment Strategy and mumble community outcomes, while quoting bay wide statistics; but standing up for all of the honest citizens in Te Puke over the Jubilee Park issues? Fighting to keep the Uretara stream a reserve? He would lose his job in five minutes.

I have just worked it out. I am a bit slow. Defining the leadership role of a champion is not my job or even the councils. The urban champion is said to be a champion for the people. How about sending me a few words outlining what you believe an urban champion should be doing for you, maybe, what you would like to do with an urban champion. I will publish them all. I am sure the council will be pleased to have your feedback.