Braam opts for street talking over sit downs
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
One councillor believes he doesn’t need a designated time slot to engage with the public, saying he is always available for a chat.
Leen Braam is the only councillor who has declined to take part in a four-month trial of Talk It Up Tuesday’s councillor chats at the Ashburton Library.
“The way I operate outside of council's chambers, I get plenty of people asking me questions and wanting to know what’s going on,” Braam said.
“People stop me and ask me questions, and that’s the way I operate which seems to work for me.”
With a tall frame and prominent moustache, Braam is an easily distinguishable figure, and whenever he is out and about he is approached by members of the public raising concerns and asking questions, “which is part of the job”, he said.
It’s good the council is searching for ways to increase engagement with the community, he said, but rather than wait somewhere he would "rather talk to people on the street”
“People know me, my phone number, they see me and that’s how I work and that’s the best way for me to explain to people what’s going on.”
Democracy and engagement group manager Toni Durham said every councillor was offered the opportunity to take part in the councillor chats.
“The elected members independently juggle their attendance themselves around their personal availability.
“There are a handful of people each Tuesday that have come in to meet with councillors.”
At the end of the four months, ending in August, it will be reviewed, Durham said.
The drop-in sessions are about hearing people’s thoughts on decisions, projects, or issues, Ashburton mayor Neil Brown said.
So far it has had “varying success".
“The daytime sessions seem to have people popping in and seizing the opportunity to talk to a councillor about whatever.
“The evening sessions haven’t been as popular.”
The review will consider continuing with the sessions or altering the time, day place they are held, or if some other avenue, such as a live online session, is an option worth trying, Brown said.
Since the sessions started there have been several items raised at council meetings stemming from the Tuesday chats.
While the sessions are not directly focussed on anything in particular at present, the council is starting to work on the development of the 2024-34 long-term plan, which will take place over the next 12 months.
Poll: Should drivers retake the theory test every 10 years?
Drivers get where they need to go, but sometimes it seems that we are all abiding by different road rules (for example, the varying ways drivers indicate around a roundabout).
Do you think drivers should be required to take a quick driving theory test every 10 years?
Vote in the poll and share any road rules that you've seen bent! 😱
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48.5% Yes
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49.6% No
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2% Other - I'll share below
Hero
“I was born and raised in war. To be honest, those are not good memories.
I really like Iran, and I really miss it, but I couldn’t be myself there. Even though my family didn’t like my decision, I left Iran. I promised myself that I would do whatever I can for all communities, especially for the kids, so they do not have the same experience I had.
I studied software engineering in Iran and left in 2006. I went to Malaysia and stayed in Kuala Lumpur for seven years. I was admitted to Lincoln University to do my PhD here, but unfortunately, I couldn’t afford the expenses. I requested a scholarship, but they told me I had to be there for six months first. So, I stayed in Malaysia and did my PhD in network security. In December 2013, I came to New Zealand with a work visa.
It took me a while to connect with the Iranian community here. I volunteered with the Multicultural Council, SPCA, and community patrol, and I established the Christchurch Iranian Society in 2017. Before that, I started working on Radio Toranj, the only Farsi-language radio show in New Zealand.
One of the reasons I started organizing cultural events was to showcase Iranian culture. I wanted to show people that we have delicious food, colorful dresses, traditional customs, and our own instruments. My hope was to show people that we are not what you see in the media.
I am working to involve all the communities that celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, in the Nowruz festival in March 2025. We want to share this celebration not only with our community but with the public as well. It’s better when it’s shared.
I remember the first time someone from Dunedin called me and asked, Hero, can you help? Something happened, and they keep declining Iranian visa applications. When I heard that, I felt insulted. We are still human, so how can they do that?
Through this journey, I’ve learned a lot. Every single day, people with different cases call me, and I try to share my knowledge and guide them as much as I can.
I have received several awards, including the Christchurch Civic Award and an Award of Recognition for my contributions to the community during the pandemic. In 2021, I established Canterbury Kia Ora Academy, a charitable trust. Through this charity, I can help other communities as well, not just the Iranian community.”
- Hero
View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
www.humansofchch.org......
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