Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: The Mayor's marginal enemies

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  • Russell Brown, in reply to Steve Curtis,

    And don’t forget that when Brown opened the Panmure transport interchange:

    Questions were also raised about the level of security shadowing the mayor

    It's usually a bad sign when the story angle is in the passive voice.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Myles Thomas, in reply to Steve Curtis,

    Damn straight.

    Going by above comments, NZ's two biggest newspapers are fairly strongly right-leaning. So how does that square with the received wisdom that most journalists are lefties?

    Auckland • Since Apr 2011 • 130 posts Report

  • bob daktari,

    I'm just excited to learn of the existence of the Howick Military Tattoo

    Sharon Stewart is no doubt a highly sought after PR ninja - well played

    auckland • Since Dec 2006 • 540 posts Report

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to Marcus Turner,

    re: ad hominoid attacks

    Ya never know, they could evolve into arguments with legs...

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report

  • nzlemming, in reply to Kumara Republic,

    The ongoing controversy over how the Basin Reserve Flyover should be built is just the latest reflection of the Dom’s tacit partisanism.

    There is nothing tacit about it. Getting a story in the Dom that is critical of NZTA/the government is a miracle. When the Expressway was announced in Kapiti, we could not get an anti story into the local Fairfax outlet, not any letters published. Worth noting that Steven Joyce's sister was the local manager, and she was quietly moved to some other part of Farfax after formal complaints were made.

    Waikanae • Since Nov 2006 • 2937 posts Report

  • Matthew Poole, in reply to Russell Brown,

    It’s usually a bad sign when the story angle is in the passive voice.

    Ignoring that you gave Steve Curtis the credit for my quote, I have concluded that it's a bad sign when any story on Auckland's governance/transport/planning/etc has Orsman's byline.

    Auckland • Since Mar 2007 • 4097 posts Report

  • Matthew Poole,

    Can the NZ media avoid bias? is the short-version headline. So irony.

    Auckland • Since Mar 2007 • 4097 posts Report

  • Carol Stewart, in reply to Graeme Edgeler,

    An entire post criticising the opponents of a politician without basically once addressing their arguments? Isn’t this textbook ad hominem?

    Well, no, if the substance of their arguments is to hold fringe beliefs about 9/11, vaccination, climate change, fluoridation and so on. It's a total waste of time engaging with their arguments, and to even attempt to do so gives them unwarranted legitimacy.

    I see Ian made the same point more elegantly ..

    Wellington • Since Jul 2008 • 830 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    So I had a look to say what Whaleoil readers and the Keeping Stock blog thought about this.

    I think we can fairly use the term Len Derangement Syndrome.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    Dear god. the TVNZ news headline is Residents ask Len Brown to stay away from Military Tattoo

    Naturally, the only resident they seem to have spoken to is Councillor Sharon Stewart.

    This is ridiculous.

    Happily, they're coming around soon to interview me, so I actually get to say something.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Matthew Poole, in reply to Russell Brown,

    I had a look to say what Whaleoil readers ... thought about this.

    Well, I'm not sure one could describe quite what appears as the majority of the comments on WO as the result of "thought", but I'll let it slide.
    Your sacrifice is noted and appreciated.

    Auckland • Since Mar 2007 • 4097 posts Report

  • Marcus Turner, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    Upright citizens, though, Ian.

    Since Nov 2006 • 212 posts Report

  • nzlemming, in reply to Marcus Turner,

    Upright citizens, though, Ian

    That would depend on the number of legs...

    Waikanae • Since Nov 2006 • 2937 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Marcus Turner,

    uptight citizens

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    So I did the One News interview and was called back an hour later to be told that the story won't be run after all. Which probably reflects its real importance.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    Fucksake. These people are really nutty. Stephen Berry's latest press release:

    Auckland resident Rick Splinter has had his request for speaking rights at the Governing Body meeting of 27 February 2014 declined. The request has been declined by Deputy Mayor, and Len Brown toady, Penny Hulse.

    Affordable Auckland Leader Stephen Berry has come out in support of Mr. Splinters application asking, "What democracy do we really have in Auckland politics if a private individual cannot have a mere five minutes to address the Council and make his opinions known?"

    The reason the application to speak has been declined is given as follows by Governance Support Manager Jason Marris:

    Your public input request for the 27FEB14 Governing Body meeting has been assessed by the Deputy Chair of the Governing Body, in conjunction with the Chief Executive, and the decision has been made to decline your request under Auckland Council Standing Order 3.21.3 which states:

    3.21.3 Subjects of Public Input

    Public Input is not to be used to speak to a matter:

    (i) that has already been considered and determined.

    Your request asked to speak on the actions of councillors to censure Mayor Brown. The matter regarding the Mayor was considered by the Governing Body and determined at their December 2013 meeting. Given that the Governing Body has already debated, deliberated and decided on the matter, your request has been declined.

    Mr. Splinter argues against this decision saying, "At no stage has any Auckland ratepayer had any opportunity to speak on this matter to the council and accordingly, I view this to be a clear case of the deputy mayor running defense for Len Brown."

    Stephen Berry is in full agreement with Mr. Splinter. "The discussions over the censure of Mayor Brown were exclusively conducted amongst councillors without public input. All Aucklanders should have the opportunity, if they wish to use it, to express their opinion on the legitimacy of Brown’s Mayoralty in a formal Governing Body setting. Is a five minute speech really that much to ask?"

    Berry believes Brown is now attempting to restrict his activities to private ‘smile and wave’ events where he will not be challenged by outraged members of the public. "Brown’s last two public events have been a private Rotary Club meeting on Monday and his State of the City address on Wednesday was done in front of an invited business audience."

    The Len Brown Stand Down March takes place this Saturday February 22. Marchers assemble at QE2 in Britomart from 11:30, with the march leaving Britomart at 12, travelling up Queen Street to Airedale Street. With opinion polls showing consistently that 60-75% of Aucklanders believe Len Brown should resign, it promises to be a very successful march.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Russell Brown,

    It promises to be as successful as ACT.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Gareth Ward,

    While I was never a physical subscriber (what am I, 45?! ;) ) the Len Brown story is the direct point where I deleted all Herald bookmarks/apps and vowed to never follow a link to the Herald or pick up a copy in the cafe.
    MIDDLE CLASS PROTEST HIZZAH! But it was a very direct loss of eyeballs/clicks/revenues and I can't imagine I'm the only one.

    Also, this Len Brown Derangement march is begging for another fake-sign infiltration no?

    Auckland, NZ • Since Mar 2007 • 1727 posts Report

  • Ben Ross, in reply to Russell Brown,

    Was just going to link it in here but you beat me to it Russell.

    This is getting even beyond fringe material now. Heck sake Standing Orders are that and Mr Splinter failed to meet them thus denied.

    Public input was given in the December Governing Body where the Mayor eventually got censured. It was utilised and people had their say including if they wished on the matter of censure as it was well flagged in advance (and even on the agenda).

    Still got to love these bits:

    Mr. Splinter argues against this decision saying, “At no stage has any Auckland ratepayer had any opportunity to speak on this matter to the council and accordingly, I view this to be a clear case of the deputy mayor running defense for Len Brown.

    That Rick Splinter seems to be the same one here http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9672005/Hard-questions-thrown-at-Len-Brown harranging the mayor before a Franklin resident told him to literally buzz off and stop taking the forum out of its intended format.
    In any case the public were given a chance to give input at the December GB meeting as well as consult their councillor prior to the meeting that day

    Stephen Berry is in full agreement with Mr. Splinter. “The discussions over the censure of Mayor Brown were exclusively conducted amongst councillors without public input. All Aucklanders should have the opportunity, if they wish to use it, to express their opinion on the legitimacy of Brown’s Mayoralty in a formal Governing Body setting. Is a five minute speech really that much to ask?”

    Groan read the last piece I wrote above. At the same time how hard is it to check Standing Orders...

    Berry believes Brown is now attempting to restrict his activities to private ‘smile and wave’ events where he will not be challenged by outraged members of the public. “Brown’s last two public events have been a private Rotary Club meeting on Monday and his State of the City address on Wednesday was done in front of an invited business audience.”

    Umm these are normal meetings the Mayor has from time to time. As for outraged members - well it seems the only ones were that speaking line up, a particular blogger and a commenter their that goes by the name of Whafe.

    The Len Brown Stand Down March takes place this Saturday February 22. Marchers assemble at QE2 in Britomart from 11:30, with the march leaving Britomart at 12, travelling up Queen Street to Airedale Street. With opinion polls showing consistently that 60-75% of Aucklanders believe Len Brown should resign, it promises to be a very successful march.

    if less than 100 show up well then...

    Auckland • Since Jan 2014 • 32 posts Report

  • nzlemming, in reply to Russell Brown,

    Auckland resident Rick Splinter has had his request for speaking rights at the Governing Body meeting of 27 February 2014 declined.

    Maybe he'll form a group...

    Waikanae • Since Nov 2006 • 2937 posts Report

  • david kinniburgh, in reply to Russell Brown,

    Howick...
    Home of the small minded, self righteous, judgmental, intolerant, vindictive,AND me
    Sent this off to Sharon Stewart
    ======

    Sharon Stewart
    I note that in todays Herald you claim to be speaking on behalf of
    "many people in Howick " and suggesting that Len Brown stay away
    from our Military Tattoo he has previously attended for years

    Just for the record, I've been a resident of Howick for 37 years and would welcome
    Len Browns attendance as part of a healing process.
    It is obvious to me that both you and Dick Quax are allowing personal animosity
    to intrude into your roles as councillors

    There are enough self righteous , judgmental, intolerant, bigoted people on the planet without our elected councillors adding to the mess.
    Confining to add fuel to the fire is an entirely unhelpful process

    Its time to let bygones be bygones;

    Respectfully

    === AND got this straight back from Dick Quax

    David
    I will confine my comments to your assertion that I have some kind of personal animosity towards Len Brown. Certainly I have lost much respect for him as a result of his actions over the years beginning with his abuse of his council provided credit card while mayor of Manukau. At the time he used that credit card to purchase personal items including a “ghetto blaster” Christmas ham, personal accommodation and countless coffees and lunches for which he was unable or unwilling to provide the required documentation.
    His current problems stem from his 2 year long affair with Bevan Chuang which he conducted on council premises during council time. He then lied to cover up his failure to declare his conflict of interest and his failure to declare $40,000 worth of gifts as he is required to do. Some of those gifts came from Sky City a company deeply involved with council on the development and construction of the NZ Convention Centre.

    In addition he has been a mediocre mayor overseeing large rate increases and increasing council debt from $2.9b to $7b currently and projected to reach $12.5b by 2021.
    I fully support the position of Cr Stewart and those organising the Howick Military Tattoo.

    ====

    Hi Dick Quax

    Thanks for the prompt reply

    I've met you on several occasions - once when you were a runner, and later on council matters, although you wont remember me - such is the price of fame :-)

    Your first two paragraphs seem to me to be highly judgmental of matters that are now in the past and should rightly be left in the past. Is there such a thing as Dutch intolerance???

    It seems to me that everyone makes mistakes - you, I , Len B, and that mistakes call for correction, not condemnation. I have no doubt that Mr Brown has had a huge boot to the backside and I hope he has learned the lessons that are his to learn.
    However, the carrying forward of grievances from the past simply
    poisons the atmosphere of the present, is destructive, and serves no useful purpose.
    With Peak Oil, Climate change and the rising Global Inequality all looming large on the horizon, building bridges rather than burning them would seem to be an intelligent option for all of us if we are all to get along on the one planet we have

    On the topic of LB I doubt we will agree, but I am sure we can disagree without being disagreeable
    Regards
    David Kinniburgh, rate payer, Howick

    I'll be turning up with a placard supporting LB :-)

    Auckland • Since Jan 2012 • 29 posts Report

  • david kinniburgh, in reply to Russell Brown,

    I'm a resident - see my posts. Views ignored by my elected representatives, who seem more concerned with some kind of revenge.

    Auckland • Since Jan 2012 • 29 posts Report

  • Russell Brown, in reply to david kinniburgh,

    Sent this off to Sharon Stewart

    Ironically, Stewart has been busy today insisting to the TVNZ reporter that "this isn't political at all."

    Except, of course, that Dick Quax is answering her emails for her.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Russell Brown,

    this isn't political at all

    no, it's personal :) #dim

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    Okay, this has to stop now. Stop enabling and encouraging crazy people.

    Anti-Brown hate mail raises fears

    The Japanese consulate in Auckland has notified the police after receiving threats from anti-Len Brown protesters about his planned attendance at a festival this weekend.

    The mayor has been the subject of protests over public appearances around the city after the controversy over his affair with council adviser Bevan Chuang, hotel stays and censure by councillors.

    He is to attend the opening of Japan Day at the ASB Showgrounds on Sunday morning and is expected to apologise for the demolition of the Fukuoka Friendship Garden at Auckland Zoo.

    The festival, in its 13th year, showcases traditional and modern Japanese art and culture and is organised by the Consulate-General of Japan in Auckland and the Japanese Society of Auckland.

    A spokeswoman for the consulate told the Herald threats had been received from people opposed to Mr Brown's involvement in the festival. Threatening emails had been forwarded to police.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

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