Waipa water decision

Congratulations to Waipa District Council for standing firm over the water decision. That decision appears to represent sound planning for the future, without the millstone of being caught up within the supply needs and associated costs of another larger council which is already having trouble justifying rates rises, both for the needs of its ratepayers, and the wish-lists of certain councillors, plus the aspirations of certain Waikato business people, whom some may see as a flock of crows, sitting on the periphery , and asking, ‘‘What will be our pickings in all of this?’’

While I would hesitate to call Waikato businessman Peter Findlay one of those ‘‘crows’’, and would concede that he has every right to use his business weight and deep pockets to try for a judicial reversal of council’s decision, in the name of, ‘‘ . . . meeting its obligations under the Local Government Act’’, to continue to do so is unlikely to be seen as a blow for democracy . . . more likely a blow on the head of local democracy and social will by big business and that sense of righteousness that the rich and powerful often appear to exercise in their will to ‘‘win’’. I may be quite wrong in my assertions, and Mr Findlay may be genuine in his want to help and serve. So, as is oft said in the old media maxim, ‘‘Watch this space.’’

Dennis Pennefather

Te Awamutu