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Letters to the Editor

August 31, 2010

Diane Baldwin, of Paraparaumu writes…..

“More enlightened European countries (and Australia) have realised that building more highways leads to more congestion – eventually.

They are already implementing innovative transport strategies including promoting more active forms of transport, causing less destruction to the environment and with many health and financial advantages.

Moving forward by looking backward is not a viable option, this expressway is not a 21st century transport solution.

Are we as individuals and as a country up to making lifestyle choices which will help safeguard the future of our children? I certainly hope we have enough foresight and fortitude to change the way we see and do things.

This whole roading debate is not just about the here and now, so think carefully when considering the messages that are being purveyed by aspiring community representatives.

In the words of James Lunday: “Building more highways to ease congestion is like adding another notch to your belt to combat obesity!”

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The Paekakariki Community Board chair, Adrian Webster, has replied to a complaint by Tony Lloyd and Helene Donaldson (see article on Home Page…READ MORE) that he and the Paraparaumu/Raumati Board Chair, John Haxton, broke the Electoral Act by sending an email to candidates. Adrian Webster writes:

August 27
Dear Editor
Their “charge” is a total crock designed to stifle proper discussion of policies.  To date 11 Council candidates have answered our email questionnaire.
Community Boards have an important advocacy role authorised by the Local Government Act 2002 and we are doing our duty under it.
Here is the section of the Local Electoral Act.  Lloyd’s complaint refers to ss.a and c.  You don’t have to be a lawyer to realise that no offence has been committed.
122         Interfering with or influencing voters

·         (1) Every person commits an offence, and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000, who—

o        (a) interferes in any way with any person who is about to vote with the intention of influencing or advising that person as to how he or she should vote:

o        (c) prints, publishes, or distributes any instruction on the method of marking the voting document that differs in any material way from the instructions required by this Act or any regulations made under this Act to accompany the voting document.

The Returning Officer must forward any complaint to the police.  That doesn’t mean there is any merit in it.  Perhaps the police will respond by charging Tony Lloyd with wasting their time!

Adrian Webster

Chair, Paekakariki Community Boardion and how necessary it was to have more. I very much agree.

There must be more but , please no regulations as to numbers.

The Kapiti Coast is not too bad but we must have more. The Council is elected by people putting their names forward and then campaigning and then we, the residents, elect them.

Then we are responsible for getting the best people on the Council. We must not complain afterwards about the standard of our Members.

We must find out in the first place, which are the best. They must be reasonably intelligent, know what is needed in the area, and be prepared to put in the time needed to do the job correctly.

The only way we can do this is by attending the Campaign meetings, listening to them speaking and making up our minds as to who is the best.

If those standing do not attend these meetings do not vote for them. If they are not up to standard do not vote for them .

If you do not trust them.do not vote for them. Please, everyone who has a vote, please attend these meetings. I only hope that there will be enough meetings and that there will be enough Maoris standing, up to standard, that we can vote for. All of us !

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From: Adrian Webster

Chair, Paekakariki Community Board
28 Ames Street, Paekakariki, 5034
04 905 8672 and 021 049 8812

August 25, 2010

Mr Turver continues to spread misinformation of the sort which led to my criticisms last week.  I said then the community was being misled by malicious misinformation about Council and its staff.
To brand this kind of behaviour by wannabe candidates as unacceptable is not to play personality politics as I explained to Cr Molineux at the time.
For the record:
  • I am not Jenny Rowan’s campaign manager.
  • The Council has not set rate increases for the next four years.  To claim that is more than misleading, it also betrays Mr Turver’s lack of understanding of long term planning processes.  See my last paragraph below.
  • Mr Turver is also again misrepresenting staff numbers.  The small growth in staff numbers has actually saved ratepayers’ money because expensive outside consultants have been replaced by in-house expertise.