13 February, 2012 3:03PM ACST

Meet the candidate: Vince Jeisman

Currently working for Federal MP, Warren Snowdon, 54-year-old Vince Jeisman is no stranger to election campaigns.

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"I noticed yesterday when I put my posters up, already the phone was ringing, people were telling me their issues but offering their support as well."

Former teacher Vince Jeisman is an electorate officer for Federal Member for Lingiari, Warren Snowdon, so he's no stranger to the election trail.

In another life he worked as an educator in schools throughout the Territory.

Vince has lived in Alice Springs for 24 years and is a keen Geelong supporter.

Why are you running for Councillor?

I've been around government for many years now, I've been active in the ALP in Alice Springs, I've worked for Warren Snowdon for the past 13 years.

What I've found in my job is that the engine room of a lot of things that happen in australia is local government. I know the federal government has ascendancy over expenditure through income tax...but the ideas and basically the ground work is done at the local level. While the federal government provides the funds, basically it's the local government that does carry it out.

Having an affiliation with the ALP, will you be bringing the Labor party line to council?

I think all the candidates bring whatever values they have to their position as councillor. Traditionally local government in the NT has not been politically based, that's probably a good thing, but I suppose I bring the ideas of equity to the position...in the same way that others bring their political views and their values to their position.

I think on council you need a rich mix of people from different age groups, you need people from a liberal perspective and people from a labor perspective.

Are you hoping to springboard from council to a further political career?

I'm at the end of my working life to tell you the truth, I'm looking forward to retirement in a few years time. I've been fortunate in the NT, I've had lots of opportunities. I'm just weighing up in the next couple of years whether I do want to retire in Alice Springs. I didn't want to retire at the age of 60 and say to myself I never gave myself a chance at local government so I think I'm the age to take that opportunity.

Have you ever attended a council meeting?

I've been to several meetings over the years, basically issues based. I was a very upfront person about ten years ago when it was proposed to sell the parks around the town. I was of the view that the parks are there for the community...I'm glad to see those parks are still there, they've improved and they will improve into the future.

How would you describe the job currently being done by the Alice Springs Town Council?

I think it's very challenging in the NT to run a council...it's not like councils down south. You have a drifting population, yiou service large regions, and it's a challenge. Let's face it, it's very hot today, it's going to be hotter this week, the impact that has on the resources that the council maintain, the ovals, the street paths the trees, it's a great challenge.

What are your thoughts on a youth curfew?

I don't support the youth curfew, I can't see how it would possibly work. We saw over the holidays, there were kids on the street, there were kids out late at night, and because the community had a response after the previous year, I noticed that there were kids playing sport, there were kids involved in activities, music down at anzac oval, it was actually good to have the kids out on the street.

When I first came to the NT, I think most people did live outside, we didn't have the air conditioning, we didn't have the furniture that we have now, we didn't have the TV even. Places like Tennant Creek and Alice Springs, people did live on their front verandah, their back verandah, there was a bit of community spirit. I think we've lost that and the idea of having a curfew...I think the kids are gonna be on the street anyway.

What are your thoughts on recent alcohol reforms in Alice Springs?

The alcohol reforms are ongoing obviously, as the town grows and the dynamics change in the region, you have to have reforms. Every time something is tried, there's an outcry, but I'd rather judge the alcohol reforms on evidence and information, and I find that in the long run, we are addressing the problem.

What are your thoughts on the old Melanka's site?

If I won Lotto I'd buy it and give it to the community! There's a great pressure on communities to come togethor in certain places and a good example of that is Federation Square in Melbourne, the redevelopment of the Adelaide Oval and the Parkland precincts and the idea is that you bring the community together in a central spot to enjoy events. I think that would be a great place to develop for the future of Alice Springs.