Putting the cart before the horse

throwback to Little House on the Prairie.

It’s no secret Stanton was fond of this lifestyle and his grim Trafalgar St vigil was largely about being allowed to return there.

If that was on the table when the Council gave its humble and very public apology last year, then that was the bit that wasn’t quite so public.

Even now the ratepayer is largely being kept in the dark about what exactly is being proposed since the matter was discussed in committee, with the public excluded.

So where this leaves us is unclear. This isn’t a question of basic human rights. If Stanton wishes to have a horse and cart, and it is within his power to make that happen, then he should absolutely have exactly that.

And should some benevolent business or benefactor wish to fork out for the ongoing care of said horse, then its a win-win.

But if this is built on the idea that the ratepayer can pick up the tab then the whole thing is destined to collapse like a cheap deck chair.

Last year the council largely swallowed its pride and met Stanton halfway. It said sorry and it found him some new, more dignified accommodation.

But it was also something of a break-up. And just about anyone who has ever been through a break-up would agree that the very worst thing to do is get back together. It will end in tears.

It can only be assumed the council misread the general sentiment over the Stanton issue. It wasn’t necessarily personal, but the feeling that this stand-off was turning into a giant stain on Nelson’s reputation was hard to miss.

The horse and cart didn’t work out in the first place for a raft of reasons.

The fact that it’s keeping its discussions on the matter to itself would suggest the council knows exactly how the public would react and it doesn’t have the stomach to be upfront on the issue.

Maybe what is needed here is a council that understands the need for transparency. Excluding the public because of commercial sensitivity is one thing but just trying to keep a lid on things when they get slightly murky is only going to further erode trust.

The council is there to be stewards of the ratepayers contribution, not play fast and loose with it.