Ali Jones to Stand for Council

“We need a fresh intelligent energy around the council table and people who want to make it happen for Christchurch so the city builds great communities as well as great buildings and infrastructure. People are the recovery.”

That from Ali Jones who has announced today that she is standing for the Christchurch City council, in the Shirley Papanui ward.

Jones said earlier this year that she would not stand however she says the political landscape is different today and she has been approached by many to reconsider and step up.
“With the current Mayor deciding not to stand, and clear issues around the current Chief Executive role, there is now a true opportunity for positive change within the leadership of the Council and a chance to put a stake in the ground and work with other key partners like the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority to get some momentum for our communities with the recovery.  It is time to work together and put the people of Christchurch first.”

Jones has run her own successful communications and stakeholder engagement agency since 1999 and has also worked in talkback radio so is constantly working at a grassroots level within Christchurch and has a strong understanding of the big issues facing residents and ratepayers on a daily basis.  And she is a mother so wants to be part of rebuilding a city that her children will be proud of and want to live here in the future. Ali’s own home was severely damaged and therefore also understands the challenges that presents. 

“We must change the way we approach challenging situations,” she says. “Be innovative, take our communities with us and be totally open and inclusive. We all feel so much happier and more positive when the sun is shining in Christchurch so let’s get some sunlight into that Hereford Street building and change the culture to one of positive energy and inclusiveness,” she says.

Jones has been nominated by local Shirley Papanui businessman Martin Meehan and local resident Mark Coburn who works at Timbs butchers in Edgeware.