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2560 days ago

Any thoughts on the Brook Valley Community Group's Chair's (Christopher St Johanser) Latest?

Tom from The Brook

"Dear Friends,
As you know, 'they' are attempting to wind us up. Sue has just had an exchange with a debt-collector named Dave, acting under instructions from the Nelson City Council. She has responded with an email to Rachel Ennor, NCC's solicitor.
You will perhaps recall that the term fascist derives from bundles of rods, wrapped around an ax, which were carried by Roman paramilitary in order to beat and when desired, to kill the people who opposed the patricians employing them. The practice was renewed in Mussolini's Italy, and enthusiastically taken up by Hitler's romantic bully-boys, the Brownshirts.
In my youth, I was taught that the fight against fascism had been won. I had to learn that the fight is continuous. I am reminded again today that the exercise of blunt power to curb the search for justice remains fully present, and in our country too. The Nelson City Council wants to beat us with financial clubs, to wipe out our opposition, to declaim their success in silencing us to their sycophantic and deluded supporters.
What are we? A properly constituted community group seeking justice in the approved manner, now through the Courts. That this activity is in respect of a matter of public interest has been explicitly recognised by the Court of Appeal, with whom we have filed proceedings. I say again that the Court of Appeal has explicitly denied the Crown's claim that we have no case.
How have we been treated by our local authority during these last five years? As Graeme O'Brien puts it, we have been insultated throughout. Let us be clear. The Nelson City Council seeks to crush opposition to its agenda, established in pernicious secrecy. Its hench-organisation, the BWST, is mandated and determined to sequester public land irrespective of contrary opinion. Their poisonous actions have been validated (and to an unknown extent set up) by a discredited Minister who continues to wreak his malign influence as a Member of Parliament. Everything is to our credit, and nothing to theirs.
We resist. Of course we resist. We shall continue to resist because, ultimately, there is no option but to resist fascism. Fail to do so now and the political situation will deteriorate. Do we really need to rehearse anew the issues of the 1930s in the Brook Valley? Is this how it is to be, this mid-twenty-first century? Or is Jacinda to save us all?
We are making our approaches to the new government. We shall make full use of Sue Grey's outstanding skills to frustrate the wicked intentions of those who seek to curtail our civil rights, our access to justice. We, you and I, who have seen already so much together, suffered together, will not flinch at the fight."
Drama or what! The clique controlling the BVCG (whoever they are - why won't they front up?) went ahead running up bills knowing they couldn't pay and, it looks like, had no intention of paying so you and I as taxpayers will have to fork out. BTW: The BVCG makes a big thing about representing the Brook residents. Does Christopher St Johanser speak for you?

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5 days ago

Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.

This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.

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Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
  • 85.1% Yes
    85.1% Complete
  • 13.9% No
    13.9% Complete
  • 1.1% Other - I'll share below
    1.1% Complete
2317 votes
4 days ago

What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.

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12 hours ago

WANTED: Iron good condition

Louise from Nelson South

I need a good iron but they cost alot new. So if you have one, I am happy to pay $10-15 dollars if it works well and gets even linen straight and crease free?
Please call or text 0276025945 or email louisemarychaney1@gmail.com