Hamilton East By-Election
PLEASE VOTE!
Whether or not you vote Hamilton WILL get a new Councillor.
Democracy is a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of an area, typically through elected representatives. Not voting is not a protest it's a statement you are happy to be dictated to. The system may be broken but simply saying it's too hard and not participating will not change anything. In fact it gives those that want power and think they are right more power to do whatever they want without protest or input from those affected.
There is a misconception that only property owners are ratepayers. All citizens over the age of 18 are ratepayers and eligible to vote. As a tenant your landlord pays your rates. We all use council services and expect them to deal with traffic, potholes, rubbish, parks, libraries, gardens, zoo, museum, and river to name just a few. Decisions don't just affect your wallet they affect our neighbourhoods and communities so why would you not want a say in how they do this. A recent proposal to charge for rubbish collection which has been turned down would have had huge impacts on everyone, were you even aware this was on the table? If the average increase in rates is expected to be approximately $1 per day you can expect your rent to increase by $7 per week to cover this and that is the average increase. It also doesn't account for an expected increase to Waikato Regional Council rates or the proposed 11% petrol tax.
Currently Hamilton has 11 Councillors and 1 Mayor meaning decisions are based on 12 votes. In many cases decisions have resulted in a 6-6 split for and against. This has resulted in the Mayor getting an extra vote to break the deadlock thus giving him 2 votes to pass his proposals. This is why we need an extra Councillor. The statement that a new Councillor will not change anything is correct. Unless that person and the public can convince the other 6 or 7 that voted for projects and increases to change their minds. No one Councillor can go to council and say this is what to do, this is how we fix it, only the Major and CEO can set the direction we take and everyone else is left to agree or disagree.
If you want council to stay out of your pocket you should pay attention to what they are spending your rates on. Some Councillors are actively seeking public opinion on decisions and others just want to be left to do what they think is best. No one is a mind reader if you don't tell them what you think they can not take it into account.
Please Vote.
What's your favourite recipe for gooseberry?
Love gooseberries? Share your favourite way to enjoy them. We're looking for our readers' favourite family recipes for this delicious crop. Send yours to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the magazine, you will receive a free copy of our December 2024 issue.
What workplace change would you like to see most?
This coming Monday is Labour Day in New Zealand. This public holiday marks when the eight-hour workday and 48-hour workweek became law in 1899. The idea started with Samuel Parnell, a carpenter in Wellington, who in 1840 refused to work more than eight hours a day. Since skilled workers were in short supply, his employer had to agree.
As more skilled workers arrived, employers tried to change working conditions, but Parnell and others kept pushing for better rights. In 1890, Parnell led a Labour Day parade of 1,500 people to promote the eight-hour day. He passed away shortly after, and nine years later, Labour Day became an official public holiday.
Do you feel that we have reached the ideal in working environments yet? What rights are you passionate about relating to employment? Share your thoughts!
What would you do if it was your job to fix Hamilton's CBD?
More alcohol restrictions, more lighting, busking rule changes and a whole lot of lobbying - these are some ways Hamilton leaders want to sort out the CBD.
Crime and anti-social behaviour in the area has been in the spotlight after recent news of a man defecating in the street near a city pub and another who flipped tables out the back of a bar after being found scrounging cigarette butts and asked to leave.
What would you do if it was your job to fix Hamilton's CBD? Tell us your reasons in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).
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