(S. Pacific Music Awards)Who wouldn't be proud of an up and coming politician from Southside role modelling the possibilities of becoming the 1st Lord Mayor of Auckland? Especially since Mayor Len Brown and I both attended the same primary school, although I was a new entrant and he was fine tuning his last years toward Intermediate level. For years I had heard Len Brown's name being flung about the room in many community circles but I didn't quite make sense of the 'Brown' connection.
Growing up in a cold damp home in Otara where there was little money for thermal drapes or carpeted floors, I was an asthmatic who spent most of my early schooling years in bed. The Principal of Mayfield Primary School Mr Brown (Mayor Len Brown's father) was concerned that I had missed so many school days that he made home visits to check on my progress. I still remember the Principal, Mr Brown standing at my bedside, helping me to read the only book I possessed "Dr. Seuss' 'The Cat in The Hat". Principal Brown was popular in the school community. He was community focussed and every school gala was a community day out.
It's often said that 'the apple doesn't fall far from the tree'. Mayor Len Brown has tree roots in establishing communities. He comes from a tradition of community networkers, educators and most importantly a focus on caring about citizens. He's been a community man all of his life. His father, School Principal, Mr Brown was a wonderful man. As for Mayor Len Brown, he was born to be 1st Lord Mayor of Auckland. This is his time.
