Hi,
You might have heard that I am running for Council in the upcoming elections.
 I thought I would let you know my position on some issues (I could call it my platform but at 65 and some I am not meant to climb on things!) and if after reading this you would like to support me with your vote that would be excellent.
I ran for Council about 12 years ago, and missed out by just a few first preferences, but have always felt I could bring something to the democratic process.

If I am elected to Council I would endeavour to take any ratepayer concerns to Council. There is no point in my being on Council if I don't have an open mind and would be keen to hear from anyone with an issue of concern.

 I have a great affection for our island and would like to see our lifestyle, the natural beauty and the special things on KI preserved.

I am a person who cares about our planet and accept that our climate is changing and probably humans are impacting on the rate of change.
I live, with my partner Jane, in our house that we built. The house is "off grid" , solar active and passive, on rain water and a comfortable 25 km bike ride to Kingscote. The car does come out the shed but less than it used to now I have a pedal assist electric bike. I think our footprint on the planet is pretty small. Hopefully our Council can in a small way move towards a more sustainable way within the confines of a modern world. It is certainly not Councils responsibility to produce electricity but to encourage the setting up of renewable wind and/or solar electricity generation could be within Councils policies. Certainly KI greets visitors at the airport with solar panels and electric hire cars both being quite visible and that could be more of a "whole island" effort.

As a keen bike rider I would support and encourage any efforts to make bike riding easily available to more locals and visitors. Safety on our narrow roads is something that needs to be addressed at a State level as well as at the local level.

Tourism development is inevitable and I would like to see that happen in such a way that we are not the Gold Coast of the South. Small and medium scale developments done within "nodes" earmarked for tourism and housing would seem to be the way forward and Councils Strategic Plan can have a lot of influence on that. On the specific issue of the proposed Golf course and associated sale/lease of coastal land, this does not sit well with me at all, but I also understand Council has limited control when "Major Project" status is given. Notwithstanding that, I think Council can still lobby State Government, if the majority of Councillors are in agreement about the unsuitability of the development.

There has been over the years, at least from the outside, an amount of conflict between some of the Councillors and the executive. I am a firm believer in correct committee process and if elected I would aim to work within the correct processes and hope, with the help of all the Councillors, to deliver a smooth running of the Council. Conflict achieves nothing.

Obviously a major concern for Council is a fairly small ratepayer base having to serve a large island with a large tourist based infrastructure. I would like to think my grasp of mathematics (numbers) would be useful in the budget process. I think "rate capping" is a fairly blunt instrument. There is always necessary, fixed,  expenditure but careful control of "discretionary" spending seems to be to me a better way forward. The budget process is one of the more important parts of Council business.

I have a wide range of experience which enables me to bring various skills to the Council process
--Lands Department Surveyor
--Irrigation farming on the Murray River growing wine grapes, onions, tomatoes and pumpkin for the wholesale market
--Cropping in a small way on KI either myself or share farming or contracting
--Tour Guide on Kangaroo Island working for Craig Wickham at Exceptional KI
--House building and painting including designing and building my own house
--A bit of shed handing before my slightly arthritic fingers said "enough"
--A stint with Australian Volunteers in PNG managing a residential training farm with cattle, goats, poultry, fish and rotational vegetable growing
--I have served at committee level on the Soil Board, Governing Council at KICE, Advance Kingscote, KI Yacht club as Commodore and Treasurer and KI Dragons
--I am currently a member of KI Bike User Group, KI Walking Club, KI Dragons and the Strawbridge Pointers

If you think I would suitable as a Councillor your vote would be appreciated. I know from my previous experience and the way the voting process works first preference votes are critical to gain a position and second and third preferences carry much less weight.
So if you want me in Council vote Ants Harris #1. Feel free to encourage your friends to put my name on their list.

If you want to discuss anything with me before polling I am happy to talk on 0456 390 656 or will respond to your emails to antsandjane@gmail.com

Yours faithfully  Ants

Ants Harris
 676a MinOil Road
Nepean Bay

Written and authorised by Ants Harris for Ants Harris. I have no affiliation with any party or other candidates (always thought that would look good at the bottom!)