Enough, Don

I read with dismay Don Borrie’s letter in your last week’s publication.

Don has been having a slice of those in leadership roles in Porirua for four decades, usually absolutely refusing to be confused by the facts in any given situation.

On this occasion he criticises our mayor, Nick Leggett, following Nick’s appearance on Q& A on August 17.

Don acknowledges that he did not see the entire programme but managed to come up with negative comments anyway. Well, I actually did and I could not disagree more with Don’s views.

Nick has stated clearly on many occasions his concerns with poverty in some parts of Porirua. Indeed at a recent Porirua City Council retreat he strongly advocated a council policy of putting our kids first.

There is much that can and needs to be done to improve the lot of some of our children and to secure their future, but I hope and trust Don can accept that the mayor and council’s role is pretty much limited to advocacy to central government and central government agencies.

I agree with Nick that dealing with the causes of child poverty requires a strong national economy. Or does Don just want us to play around with the symptoms of poverty?

Don has been a great talker over the years but never much of a doer. He seems happy to live in his financially-secure middle-class world and pontificate about what others should be doing to create his version of a better world.

Do us all a favour, Don, and give it a rest.