Council ‘contempt’

Eric Repp Motueka, February 12 Gordon Turner Richmond, February 12 Dan McGuire Nelson, February 13

Motueka by-election

Here we go again. Why should we waste $50,000 of ratepayers’ money for a by-election? Why couldn’t the next-highest-polling candidate be declared elected? If that is not possible because of some stupid rules, then change the rules.

Surely there must be more important work to be done at the council’s office than running byelections.

Saving water

Water is the most precious thing available to us, and with restrictions starting to bite, here is a tip to effect precious savings, one I have used long before the Pigeon Valley fire. To be fair, it will help probably 90 per cent of car owners, but not off-road vehicles.

Instead of using a hose on a vehicle, tip some car shampoo into a basin of warm water and, starting with the roof, sponge a panel at a time, wiping down with a chamois as you go. Lastly, use a brush with the remaining water to clean the wheels.

You should end up with about half of the water you started with, but do not throw this residue away. Instead, let it cool down, then use it to water garden shrubs and plants, dirty as it is. My plants have never suffered, and think of the money you will save on your water bill. Please try it.

It is truly disturbing that on Thursday, the Nelson City Council denied lawyer Sue Grey a chance to speak on concerns that are shared by many Nelsonians. The unwillingness of council to be questioned on its lack of due process, it efforts to use ratepayer funds to quash community groups, and its absolute contempt for democracy are of serious concern.

Much of this appears to be an attempt to hide the fact that the environmental damage done to the historic Dun Mountain railway line is largely the responsibility of the council, which approved and should have monitored the resource consent that allowed construction in that area.

The council has demonstrated, not only in this instance but in many, that it will only listen to selected elite groups, usually from the most privileged sections of the community. Ratepayer funds are not being directed to urgent environmental needs – such as the maintenance and upgrading of our sewerage system – but instead to the interests of selected groups. This situation must change.