Councils should cut back to help us get through

IT is clear that for the foreseeable future, Dunedin is in for austere times with many of our citizens and businesses facing hardship with the loss of business and income due to the coronavirus.

Many people are already stressed, and today I heard of one family of four who has had three of its members’ hours cut. This will only get worse.

I therefore suggest that the Dunedin City Council and the Otago Regional Council lead by example.

All councillors and community board members should immediately take a 20% wage drop. Staff at both councils receiving wages in excess of $100,000 should do the same.

Any proposed rates rises should not exceed the rate of inflation and only essential spending should be carried out.

For the foreseeable future, all the feelgood and vanity projects should be put on hold and not considered again until the economy stabilises.

If councils continue to spend and tax at the current rate, we should call on central government to take action against the councils and order them to take measures to at least curtail their rates rises.

We all need to stand together during these difficult times.

Trevor Johnson

Ravensbourne

I NOTE with disquiet the silent response from local government as to the economic impacts of the Covid19 pandemic.

I refer especially to the proposed rates increases which are entirely at the discretion of councillors.

Whether in business or on a fixed income, all residents will be negatively impacted until this biosecurity crisis is resolved.

Rates increases of up to 15% could be imposed in some areas.

It is completely untenable to impose any rates increases at this time. Have councils even discussed the economic impacts on their ratepayers, and if not, why not?

Further, it is likely that no public meetings to consult ratepayers will be held.

Equally concerning is the consultative process over freshwater management which appears to have deadlines imposed by the minister. How is this situation now to be managed?

It would be most unwise for councils to rely on written submissions as so many people don’t wish to formally engage with council.

Some answers, please.

Gerrard Eckhoff

Alexandra

I BELIEVE that the figures that we are being given are not accurate because tests are not being done on people who present with Covid19 symptoms unless they need High Dependency Unit care or if they are connected with travel.

New Zealand has been admirable in the way of closing borders but more testing is necessary.

I know of a person in Wellington, who is now hospitalised and is showing Covid19 symptoms, who was told that she would not be tested because the treatment that she is receiving is the same as that for Covid19 cases.

She is not in isolation, just in a separated space. The doctors and nurses treating her are using normal hospital gear, in no way comparable to that worn by Daniel Pettigrew as shown on the front page (ODT, 20.3.20). Charlotte Handley

Maori Hill

NOW is the time for leadership. The Central Otago mayor should arrange for rates to be capped at the rate of inflation, 1.5%.

We are all going to face hardship over the next year so let’s face this situation equally together.

Cromwell rates on residential property are due to increase 11%, and the capital value has increased 33%.

Cromwell farm CVs have increased 13%, and their rates will go down 21%.

Bannockburn Vineyards’ CV increased 31%, and their rates will increase $3.31 for the year!

If the mayor is not prepared to act on this, then perhaps some of the councillors will break ranks and show leadership on this inequitable situation.

M. Barra

Cromwell

I FIRMLY believe that politics should take no part in the emergency Covid19 presents in our country, but when I read Alex Aitken’s letter(20.3.20), I realised that a counteropinion was necessary.

In the announcement on March 17 from the Minister of Finance, politics was signalled from Grant Robertson when he paid homage to the father of the Labour Party, Michael Joseph Savage, for introducing social welfare to New Zealand which established the caring nature of his party.

When Simon Bridges rose to speak, he was understandably amazed, as were hundreds of us, that $3 billion was going to all beneficiaries in a payout which had absolutely nothing to do with Covid19.

If this amount had been added to the $5 billion for health, or even to the lowest paid employees to prevent them becoming beneficiaries, there would have been no need for Simon Bridges to speak against (Alex Aitken’s words) the ‘‘rallying cry’’ from General Robertson.

Priority spending is vital at this time and maybe Alex Aitken should consider this.

Marion Potter

Mornington

THE forthcoming elections are bound to be postponed due to the coronavirus.

I only trust that Simon Bridges and his party members get behind Jacinda and her party with this terrible virus that is attacking the world.

If Mr Bridges doesn’t, he hasn’t a show of getting to first base come election day.

I am very pleased to see National’s finance spokesman, Paul Goldsmith, backing Labour’s fast action.

Gary Stewart

Foxton ....................................

BIBLE READING: For the Lord gives wisdom. — Proverbs 2:6.