puff: puff 389 Wheeler's Corner

Wheeler’s CornerÓ

Connecting Citizens Who Care

Contact Peter at wheeler@inspire.net.nz

10 16th March 2007

This Week: 1. Candidate interview on Access Triple Nine AM 2. Using the credit card. 3. ‘Variations’ on a theme. 4. Wind-farm blues. 5. Rates review panel.

Editorial

We’ve all seen in the news recently that loan sharks abound in our community who will lend money at huge rates of interest of up to 100%. They use a variety of names to attract clients; they will even come to you in your own home. Well the equivalent in the international arena is the International Monetary Fund [IMF] or the World Bank. The chairperson of the ‘Rates Review Panel Mr. David Shand used to work for both these moneylenders. There are countries all around the world that borrowed from the IMF and or the WB and are now determined to break free of the never-ending debt cycle. I actual worked overseas and saw the results of the IMF and particularly the WB taking over various local activities and then handing them on to overseas-owned corporations. A Wheeler’s Corner reader felt that the real problem with local government was that they just could not resist spending whatever monies are available. The next step is to borrow money and to hand this debit over to future rate payers. At times borrowing is of course necessary but borrowing for non-essential activities is simply stupid and to use the credit card process is even more stupid as most individuals are well aware. Cr. Gordon Cruden made the point to the Panel hearing last Friday that there was too much consultation, this was amazing considering that he stood six years ago believing that there was too little consultation…and he was going to make sure that the people would be consulted.

1. Awapuni holds it election for a new Ward Committee member to replace ‘You-know-who’ on the 27th of March 2007, It needs thirty Awapuni citizens to attend the meeting for the election to be valid. A new candidate has stepped up to the plate and I would like to strongly suggest that you come along to the meeting and support her. She has lived in Awapuni for over thirty years. She is active in the community and she just buzzes with energy. She has worked with the Courts assisting those in need. She has learned to speak Maori no mean feat, which assisted her with her efforts in the Justice area and at Awatapu College. She read the words from Michael Feyen published in the Manawatu Standard where he said, ‘That many people are seriously questioning the direction, leadership and governance of our city’ and made up her mind to put her name forward. She is Shona Jarmin, and I will be interviewing her on Access Triple Nine AM on Thursday the 15th of March and this interview will be repeated on Thursday the 22nd of March. So tune in, especially if you live in Awapuni. The election is at the Awapuni Community Centre in Newbury St, which runs off Rugby St at 7.30pm on the 27th of March 2007. So if you live in Awapuni or even if you don’t come along and bring a friend.

2. A new spin on the Draft Annual Plan and its recommended percentage rate increase is about to hit the public…Now you may remember that the ten year plan agreed upon only last year gave a forecast of each future years predicted rates rise. Well you can forget any prediction. Over the last few years rates have increased by around a 100%. This year it was predicted that rates would rise by about 5%, when coupled with inflation the latest prediction would be around 7.5%. Now Cr. Gordon Cruden suggests that rates could be reduced if council followed IMF and World Bank trained David Shand, Chair of the Rates Inquiry Panel advice. The IMF throughout third world countries uses this method and it has kept them poor. This method is considered a credit card system of funding organisations, countries and even cities and towns. Put simply it means, ‘spend today, pay tomorrow’. If this method is used it means that our children will have to pay for our living above our means today. If you are not in favour of this introduction of third world budgeting you should keep a close eye on this years Draft Annual Plan. This system has always made the rich richer and the poor poorer. Cr. Peter Claridge attempted to ensure that citizens be clearly informed just what this borrow and hope policy if accepted means for them in the years to come when loans are required to be repaid. Cr. Gordon Cruden supported by Cr. Naylor, Pope [yes she was present], Wall, and Broad and Podd all opposed his request. This rare Wednesday night council meeting with only four members of the public present along with, 16 staff and 14 councillors had all the elements of a soap opera. Roman senator and boring orator Gordon Marcus Caesar Cruden attempting to hog the floor as he moved a long winded notice of motion and from time to time leaping to his feet with points of order set the scene. Dame Cr. Alison Wall giving her version of robust debate accompanied by head shaking, teeth rattling arm waving added to the low quality of debate, until some one called for medical assistance. Poor Cr. Lew Findlay who had to duck her waving arms and having to listen to her constant babble needed to duck under the table to avoid physical damage. Even Cr. Pat Kelly sitting on her other side had his neat hair-do messed up by the sheer volume of her attacks on Cr. Peter Claridge and the Mayor? When the meeting moved into part two, so they could discuss which groups were about to have their funding cut the four members of the public were cast out, in fact they were escorted out by no less than the legal adviser himself. After watching for a few moments through the glass doors as Caesar continued to bounce up and down. As Cr. John Hornblow pleaded for his no doubt worthy friends continuation of funding I went home and watched ‘Facelift" on TV One. While it had about the some level of farce as the council meeting it was far more entertaining.

3. Comments about letter from staff [Managers] to Councillors on behalf of Paul Wylie:

Hi Peter,

I think this is extreme. All the rest of us have to accept editorials regardless of what they say and can't get any redress regarding them because they are just an editorial - one person's opinion - a person who has a right to have an opinion. Boy, would I like it if I could have received redress for everything incorrect thing said about me. I bet you feel the same about things said about you too. I hope the Councillors ignore that letter. Cheers. Thanks, the councillors didn’t ignore the letter and they passed a resolution saying how wonderful the CEO and the staff has performed.

Hi Peter,

This must have been the subject of some discussion over dinner at our recent Rotary Club evening. There were other factors thrown into the discussion by our two councillor representatives, who being non-committal in any sort of criticism that ensued didn't think that the Ev Std [Manawatu Standard] editor was 'out of order'. Regards PS. The letter was poorly crafted. In places, it is far from clear. Thank you for those comments, it’s nice to know that Rotary Club members discuss such matters.

Peter,

The loyalty to their boss the CEO is amazing, but misplaced. They will just have to grin and live with the fact that they are just doing a job. They are however all ratepayers and have every right to send a letter to the editor with their personal views.

Hi Peter,

As I understand it all these managers work for the CEO, only the CEO works for the council. Are you sure they actually wrote the letter for it seems more like a letter from the CEO using staff as a front? I also understand that he often writes to the paper so what do they mean he can’t respond? Regards. Well, according to Cr. G. Cruden, the CEO can write to defend his staff [everybody else who works for council] but councillors are the only ones who can defend him! If you were a staff member would you put your job at risk by speaking out…

Peter,

I think you are correct, they are just a bunch of trade unionists, what they are actually saying is ‘Do what we tell you, or else! Cheers. You have a point but there are trade unionists and then there are real trade unionists, if you get my point. Thanks for all your comments. I’m inclined to agree with you all. Possibly Paul Wylie using the staff was just taking one last swipe at councillors. The letter was very similar to the one published in the Manawatu Standard from Cr. Anne Podd. Still the lack of verbal support from councillors to the mayoral farewell comments made at the last full council meeting I think sums up his departure to the Tasman District Council. One of relief, I think, at least I hope that the new CEO will be the type who will create a more inclusive attitude to the role.

4. Motorimu Wind Farm Ltd. dropped two turbines from its proposed wind farm at the beginning of its consent hearing yesterday in Palmerston North, but said if any more turbines were cut, the project would not be viable. The company offered to remove the two turbines because of noise and proximity to homes in Millricks Line and Scotts Road, Motorimu's lawyer Vernon Rive said. Motorimu is applying for resource consent for a 127-unit wind farm on the Tararua Ranges behind Linton and Tomoku. The hearing is in front of independent commissioners Dinah Williams, David McMahon and Richard Heerdegen

5. The Rates Review Panel breezed into town for a few hours. Made up of two males and one younger woman who resides amongst us. They listened as farmers suggested they were hard done by. Grey Power members from various Manawatu locations told about the huge difficulties their members are having paying their never-ending rate rises. Cr. G. Cruden made his statement about too much consultation and our outgoing CEO appeared at this panel hearing. The real value of this hearing that was set up because of the Rates Revolt in Auckland won’t be known until late this year. Before the LG elections I hope. You can make submission by email to: submissions@ratesinquiry.govt.nz submissions will made available via www.ratesinquiry.govt.nz for you to read.

6. My God strongly recommends Shona and she [My God] suggests that every one should turn up to support her…

Peter J Wheeler

Wheeler@inspire.net.nz

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