CAMBRIDGE NEWS | 1
THURSDAY OCTOBER 8, 2020
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MP: it’s not about Covid-19 By Viv Posselt
National MP for Hamilton West Tim Macindoe has debunked the upcoming vote as a ‘Covid-19 election’ - and told Cambridge residents the pandemic should not be used to deflect from other important issues. Mr Macindoe was speaking at the candidates meeting hosted by Cambridge Grey Power at St Andrew’s Church hall last week. He was standing in for Taupo MP Louise Upston, who was unable to attend. “We need to look closely at the parties and policies that can deliver,” he said. “With the huge borrowing that has been undertaken – and I think everyone understands why it was done – we need to ensure that every dollar is spent wisely and in a way that will boost production, help the economy, save jobs and create more jobs to get us out of this difficult situation.” He said some businesses would likely hit the wall and be unable to recover, and said the country was more dependent than ever on primary production. “It will be they who will lead the way in our recovery. We must ensure that the future government doesn’t kneecap our primary producers at a time when we need them the most.” Mr Macindoe said sound investment in infrastructure, including roading, schools, hospitals and housing, was crucial. Other political speakers included Waikato Labour candidate Kerrin Leoni, Taupō candidate Ala’ Al-Bustanji, ACT candidate for Taupō David Freeman, and Advance NZ Party candidate for Taupō Antoinette James. Green Party candidate for Hamilton East, Rimu Bhooi, initially accepted the invitation, but did not attend. Each of the speakers gave a brief outline of their background and reasons for standing before focusing on their key message. continued on page 7
OCTOBER 8, 2020
All downhill from here… By Viv Posselt
Downhill mountain biker Jason Connor plans to set a world record in Cambridge by covering the longest possible distance by bicycle on a pump track without stopping or pedalling. The Cambridge-based rider, ranked 31st in the world and third in New Zealand, will start the record-breaking attempt at around 1pm on Sunday at the Cambridge Pump Track, adjacent to the skate park in Dominion Ave. He expects to cover around 23km in just under an hour; should he stop for any reason, he will have to re-start the attempt. In 2019, Jason won the New Zealand National Downhill Series. It was after the Covid-19 cancellation of the August 2020 UCI Masters World Championships in France that he decided on the pump track attempt, primarily as an alternative 2020 project to plug the gap. He also wanted to use the record attempt as a fundraiser for the United States-based Keep A Breast Foundation and has set up a Give-a-Little page with that in mind. The page runs to October 31 and is at www.givealittle.co.nz/ causepump-track-worldrecord. The 32-year-old, whose mother is a breast cancer survivor, has for
several years supported and promoted the Keep A Breast Foundation as its New Zealand representative. “Once I knew I wouldn’t be going to the world championships, I wanted instead to do something that allowed me to fundraise for the Foundation,” he said. “Educating families on the prevention of breast cancer, and the impact it has on families, is a major part of the picture for me.” Jason started with BMX before moving to downhill biking at around 14. He quickly found his niche and did extremely well until a serious crash several years ago put him out of action for a while. Sunday’s Official World Record attempt will be livestreamed and preceded with a variety of familyfriendly entertainment, and Jason hopes people will come along and support him. Covid-19 has prevented Official World Record personnel recording the event so tracking his progress will be Waipā District Councillor Philip Coles, Cambridge Primary School principal Mike Pettit, and former New Zealand rower and Olympic medallist Nathan Twaddle. For more information call Jason at 0204 786 748 or email jason@6fourcollective.com.
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Cambridge downhill mountain biker Jason Connor is aiming at setting a record at the pump track on Sunday.