Speaker by Various Artists

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Speaker: You ain't from round here

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  • Rich of Observationz,

    Wellington's council candidates seem to vary between mildly useless and truly offensive.

    I don't think any of them understand what a city council does or what the role of councillors is.

    A council doesn't "lead the growth of the city into the bright pastures of a new tomorrow" - it disposes of shit and garbage (and runs other important services, regulates building development and use, etc). The task of council is do these jobs effectively - improving employee engagement would be a good start.

    Councillors are not employees subordinate to the CEO and paid officers. They are the representatives of the people who voted them in. If they're opposed to something (like a completely unnecessary flyover) I'd like to hear them opposing it, not keeping quiet to the last minute in the hope we might compromise on painting it a better colour or something.

    If it were not for the need to put Morrison last, I'd seriously consider not voting.

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes,

    Just because its Friday and just because it has the words “Y'all ain’t from around here are ya” and cos its got a good tune.
    Not at all because the ongoing crap in Christchurch may end up leaving the place no better than a swamp.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Hebe, in reply to Steve Barnes,

    That’s rather good: specially the photo which doesn’t look a million miles from the view of the city from up on Huntsbury on a foggy day. I like tumbleweed tunes. Hebe (not Greg who has his own PAS name now).

    Christchurch • Since May 2011 • 2899 posts Report Reply

  • Stephen R, in reply to Rich of Observationz,

    A council doesn't "lead the growth of the city into the bright pastures of a new tomorrow" - it disposes of shit and garbage (and runs other important services, regulates building development and use, etc). The task of council is do these jobs effectively - improving employee engagement would be a good start.

    I approve this message.

    How do I tell which Councillors have actually helped a) get basic services running and b) not shat all over council staff?

    I heard Vicky Buck is running for council in Christchurch. I have memories no doubt polished smooth by time, but when I lived there, (And Vicky was Mayor) I appreciated the local council and its services in a way that Wellington hasn't really done for me. To quote someone from the time "If Vicky stood in a theater to let someone past, I'd vote for her"

    (I'm still bitter about Max Bradford trying to screw over Christchurch with his electricity reforms. He promised my power prices would go down, and they doubled - Grrrr)

    Wellington • Since Jul 2009 • 259 posts Report Reply

  • Keir Leslie,

    I think Paul Eagle has done really good work as far as pushing the Council to be a decent employer goes.

    Since Jul 2008 • 1452 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Rich of Observationz,

    A council doesn't "lead the growth of the city ... it regulates building development and use

    I trust you can see some connection between those two parts of your sentence. Even Rodney Hide had to admit councils do more than rats, roads and rubbish when he was in charge of local govt law.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to jack.henderson,

    Kia ora. Good to see you here, Jack.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Stephen Judd, in reply to Rich of Observationz,

    Wellington’s council candidates seem to vary between mildly useless and truly offensive.

    I don’t think any of them understand what a city council does or what the role of councillors is.

    Try Christchurch.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel,

    stitched up...

    Try Christchurch.

    I read* that Ngaire Button tried to pull her nomination for Councillor after Sue Wells bailed without telling her - it appears Wells decided not to run because she was only there to support Bob, and seemingly unbeknownst to Wells, Button thought she was there to support Wells, and beyond that, well, turtles all the way down, I guess...

    * Chchch Star I think, but they're virtually unsearchable...

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Joe Wylie, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    Council CEO Marryatt's talent for chicken hypnosis appears to work best on the demonstrably bone stupid. While Wells and Parker retained enough higher brain function to recognise the inevitable, Button and the hapless Councillor Keown bear out Nietzsche's words: "The streak of chalk bewitcheth the hen; the stroke he struck bewitched his weak reason. Madness AFTER the deed, I call this."

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to Steve Barnes,

    in fiddles...

    ....place no better than a swamp.


    I reckon Doug Kershaw woulda made a great Cajun Doctor Who...

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Hebe, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    Youve got it; a fine piece revealing how daft the woman is. It was a Star front page mid-August. it’s (just) possible to search Mainland Press or the Christchurch Star on issuu.com which gives you front pages then you can snapshot/copy+paste. Tedious.

    Christchurch • Since May 2011 • 2899 posts Report Reply

  • Hebe, in reply to Stephen Judd,

    I noticed that too... now her brains are leaving it can only get worse.

    Christchurch • Since May 2011 • 2899 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes, in reply to Hebe,

    now her brains are leaving it can only get worse.

    On the midnite train to Georgia perhaps? ;-)

    Even more fun than politics...

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz, in reply to Stephen Judd,

    Christchurch

    That is truly brilliant.

    I don't believe Hide's thing that councils are only about services and hence apolitical, because services (and everything else) are intrinsically political.

    But I don't buy the idea that councils can conduct an industrial policy that they have neither the fund or legislative basis to do so. Is Apple's success due to the progressive policies of the Cupertino City Council? I think not.

    Last time the big thing was that we needed council funded free-WiFi which would revolutionise the city and take is into the 22nd century, or something. It was duly built (with a bit of help from TradeMe) and now I have to switch WiFi off on the bus through town or it breaks my 3G connection while I read their adverts and log in (or just disable WiFi).

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz, in reply to Hebe,

    BTW, if you are looking for Press or other Fairfax content from the quake era, it's largely up on https://quakestudies.canterbury.ac.nz/. Searchable and downloadable PDF files. Built by the late, (not in a corporeal sense) great team at Learning Media.

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report Reply

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