LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS
DEMOCRACY DENIED
Q. How come any city councillor is able to completely ignore a ratepayer? In total contravention of their sworn oaths to do the opposite?
Oaths to uphold and facilitate rate payers, regardless of personal considerations, to help ratepayers/citizens understand and access the democratic process?
If I am correct, it is the Mayors job (legal obligation) as ‘chief councillor’ to oversee councillors, to make sure that what he and all councillors do is lawful, procedurally correct, in line with protocols and their sworn duty as elected representatives in respect of serving rate payers needs and issues without judgement and that is not happening then something is very very wrong with democracy in Upper Hutt.
Q. So who’s not doing their job?
How come the Mayor has not done his job, as we understand it, in guiding the councillors in their sworn legal obligations to rate payers. How has he allowed our councillors to be derelict in their duty to us?
Did the Mayor not tell them their obligations as elected representatives to rate payers?
Did the Mayor instruct them regarding their obligations to us and in this instance they chose to ignore them?
Did the Mayor instruct them to ignore me?
That six (6) sworn representatives ignored me at the same time leaves me no choice but to conclude that it was a deliberate attempt to deny me my rights to democracy!
Q. How many others have been shut down, shut out, by this Mayor and Council?
How successful has this strategy been over the years of the Incumbent Mayors reign, that they were confident as a group, that this was the tactic to employ to deny me or anybody else democracy?
Whatever the answer is, each of them is responsible for their own choices, but the final overarching responsibility always comes back to the Mayor.
Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.
Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.
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64.5% Yes
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32.9% No
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2.6% Other - I'll share below
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.
International Volunteer Managers Day
Yesterday marked International Volunteer Managers Day. So throughout this week we will be spotlighting several amazing volunteer managers from across the Wellington region.
Liv has recently started managing a diverse team of volunteers at The Free Store Wellington. Here are some words about what she loves about her role!