I’ve been getting some useful feedback about this site since it went live in July 2009. You have two main concerns, which I would like to address now.
   First, is this a political site for my mayoral campaign? In true politicians’ fashion, the answer is ‘Yes and no’. There will be one more focused on my campaign elsewhere, and there is jackyan.com, which has my blog posts and background. Your Wellington does allow me a forum to put forward ideas.
   But at the end of the day, this is a site for all of us, not just me, so we can record our likes and dislikes about our city.
   If I am lucky enough to secure a majority of votes as your mayor on October 9, 2010, this site will keep running, as a means of citizen engagement.
   Would you rather take your lunch break to attend a council meeting, or would you rather give your voice to an issue on a blog in your own time? I know what I prefer. And rather than set this up a month before the mayoral election, let’s have this dialogue now, as we have had since July ’09. If I’m to represent your wishes, as is only right in a democracy, then we need to be united in our thinking as early as possible.
   I have no intention of being a puppet-master with a council to do my bidding. I am here to do your bidding.
   Secondly, why is this site light on issues such as crime on our streets and other pressing matters?
   I am not so arrogant as to presume that I have all the answers when there are citizens living in areas who are more familiar with their own patch than me. What we will see on this site through 2010 is a gradual building-up of issues, with some of my proposals, and some of your feedback. A mayor should never stop learning from one’s constituents.
   I will put forth more of my ideas, and crime and some of the heavy stuff will be covered. The aim is to go from the general, where we are now, and head into the specific.
   This site will grow bit by bit and come October 2010, we should have a full picture of what you want—and what I will go to the polls with, representing all our wishes.
   My belief is not one of ‘Vote for me’, or ‘Vote for this’, but ‘Vote for us’. It is about putting the power in to the hands of Wellingtonians, not individuals or a bunch of élites backed by corporate interests.
   Your feedback is always welcome, as well as other issues we need to address. That’s the whole idea of Your Wellington.