A FORMER European surfing champion is set to stand for Deputy in St Mary, St Ouen and St Peter.
Arlene Maltman said that, if elected, she would be a “strong voice” for the district who would stand up for the interests of the parishes while “recognising that good decisions must also serve the long-term future of Jersey as a whole”.
Ms Maltman has represented Jersey on the international stage, winning both the British and European Championships, and continues to support the sport locally through her role on the board of GB Surfing.
She said: “I grew up in the west and started surfing in St Ouen’s bay when I was ten years old. Competitive surfing gave me opportunities to travel the world and to study at college in America. I built a successful career in marketing and communications, working in California and New York before returning home to the Island I love.
“Jersey offers a tremendous quality of life, with its beaches and natural environment, its history and outdoor leisure opportunities and the Island community spirit. This is all hugely important to me and protecting it will play a large part in what I stand for.”
She said that parishioners are increasingly worried about “food inflation, the fact that wages haven’t kept up with the cost of living, housing costs, fuel costs and, of course, water quality”.
Standing as an independent candidate, Ms Maltman said that she would support the “continued implementation” of the Rural Economic Framework and would advocate increased digital and financial literacy in schools. She added that she wanted to see better transport links to the western parish, including a hopper bus that connects the parishes, St Brelade and the Enid Quenault Centre.
Discussing the economy, she continued: “Financial services are central to the Island’s economy, but we also need to recognise and value broader economic activity, where the benefits of success are felt more widely by Islanders.
“Tourism, hospitality and retail are for example under pressure from rising costs, weaker consumer spending and economic uncertainty. If elected I would commit to supporting: a stronger circular local economy which means keeping more of Jersey’s money, talent and spending on-island — backing local producers, farm shops, hospitality, small businesses, third sector and community enterprise so that more value stays in our Island and there is less leakage out through imports and reliance on external providers.”
She is the second person to declare for St Mary, St Ouen and St Peter after Deputy Lucy Stephenson. Deputies Lyndon Farnham and Ian Gorst will contest the Senatorial election, while Deputy Kristina Moore has indicated she will be stepping down in June.
