GLENN McLEANglenn.mclean@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki | Monday, 31 December 2007
Life has not slowed down at all for former Stratford mayor Brian Jeffares.
The man who wore the mayoral chains in the Central Taranaki district for three successful terms is still accepting offers to sit on various committees in the town, despite almost three decades of working in the community.
The 59-year-old, who stood down as mayor at the last election, has been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to local body affairs and the community.
The former builder turned real estate manager stands by his decision to step down from the mayoralty this year. "I think it was the right and best decision to make at the time and I don't regret it because it was time to move on," he said.
Mr Jeffares says he never envisaged getting involved in committees or local politics.
It all started from the "humble background of being a builder" when he took up an offer to work on a school committee.
"I think school committees and PTAs are a great breeding ground for community life and many people move on from there to serve elsewhere," he said.
Mr Jeffares says there is a simple reason behind what drives him to still be a Taranaki regional councillor, chair the Taranaki Electricity Trust, the Stratford Health Trust, to be a trustee on the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter Trust, a member of the Hospital Advisory Committee, the Stratford Youth Trust and a committee member of the Stratford Rugby Club.
"I guess I'm just impatient, I want to get things done.
"That comes back to my background as a builder as well, you learn to get the foundations right," he said. Many of his positions have given him a lot of satisfaction and he admits to getting plenty of pleasure out of seeing projects through to the end.
One example is the Taranaki Electricity Trust, which he says is a tribute to the people of the area.
"We have now given away about $50 million and have a portfolio worth about $90 million.
"That's a huge increase on what we started with in 1993, so yeah, that's been significant in a lot of growth in the area," he said.
"But there is a downside to it, a lot of committees now think their fundraising consists entirely of writing a letter to the TET."
Mr Jeffares says he will continue to remain fiercely loyal to Stratford.
"That's why I do everything I do, because I really love this community. If I didn't love this community I wouldn't do it."
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