Posts by Russell Brown
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Hard News: Some reprehensible bullshit, in reply to Jim Cathcart,
I cannot remember the last time I saw or encountered a bookcase-merged-door interior design of a bathroom. Is it as common as you think? I’m sure that the average suburban citizen doesn’t think so.
It seems common enough, but even if it wasn’t, what on earth is there about it to trouble “the average suburban citizen”? The two rooms aren’t secret, they’re entirely functional, and the current mayoral office has the same facilities. You’re asking me to get up in arms about a goddamn interior design choice?
But anyway, given LB’s track record, I would have thought that his minders would have considered the potential as to how bad this could look (or at least save Brown from further ridicule). You’re a media guy and I’m surprised that you don’t get this.
Okay, let’s say they should have anticipated that this non-issue would be a front-page lead in the Sunday paper. What should they have done? Should the mayor’s comms team have overruled the council’s designers and insisted on a non-book door? Wouldn’t that have immediately got out and been fodder for “sensitive sex scandal mayor quashes office door design”? Would that have been a win?
Look, as I said, every person involved with that story knows that it’s bullshit. On that basis alone, it would seem evident that the weight of responsibility here doesn’t lie with the council comms office.
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Hard News: Some reprehensible bullshit, in reply to Jim Cathcart,
If I were Len Brown or one of his spin team, I would have made it anticipated this and made it clear that the secret rooms were for Len and the future cleanliness of other mayors.
They're not secret rooms. They're behind a door, like most ensuites are. The designers merged the door with the bookcase, which is a pretty common interior design thing, especially for small spaces.
But clearly, no, today's desperate attack of underwear-sniffing was apparently not anticipated.
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The inevitable idiotic press release from the Taxpayers' Onion has been delivered:
MEDIA RELEASE
TIME FOR AUCKLAND RATEPAYERS TO HAVE A RECALL OPTION
7 DECEMBER 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEThe Taxpayers' Union is calling on the Government to give local communities the ability to petition for recall elections, after Len Brown's latest snub to ratepayers has hit the headlines. The Herald on Sunday is reporting that Len Brown has had a private bathroom and dressing room installed behind a bookshelf in the Mayor's office. The secret rooms have cost ratepayers $30,000.
The Union's Executive Director, Jordan Williams, says:
"A secret dressing room, complete with a two seater couch, is a luxury lair, not value for money for ratepayers."
"Councillors have already censured Len Brown for misusing funds but clearly the line in the sand is being ignored. Mr Brown's refusal to talk to media says a lot about his respect for ratepayers and his fellow councillors."
"It's time the Government gave ratepayers a voice between elections. A recall option would enable ratepayers to petition for a vote to fire a shameless politicians who lacks any respect for those who pay the bills."
ENDS
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Oh, and also: the reporter Cheryl Howie pursued Bevan Chuang for comment on the story. What did they expect she’d say?
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Dirty Politics trainspotters will of course be aware that Brewer is a business partner of Carrick Graham, but may not be aware that Sharon Stewart is also mates with Slater.
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Hard News: Park Life, in reply to Glenn Pearce,
A proper 9 Hole course might be OK, 9-Hole courses do tend to be more towards the pitch-and-putt end of the scale though which might be less acceptable to the golf fans
That’s a good point, and a question worth putting to the board.
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Matthew Heine playing with a reconstituted Sold Gold Hell at a party tonight at Lucha Lounge.
My son liked them and I put it to him that was because they sounded more like Black Sabbath than any other band on the bill. He agreed.
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Hard News: Friday Music: Memories of a…, in reply to Mike O'Connell,
Talking of party things, any report on Lawrence Arabia’s Hits of the 60’s last weekend? He’s doing 70’s Hits tomorrow I gather. I can imagine Eno’s Needle in the Camel’s Eye will feature which he did at the Wunderbar last month.
The cover he did with the band (on the Chant Darling night of the albums tour at the King’s Arms this year) of the Velvet Underground’s ‘I Found a Reason’ was sensational. It literally made me cry a little bit.
And wouldn’t the Saints’ Know Your Product be cool – he has a horn section, of sorts!
Oh god, stop. I’m already going to Nick Cave. 'Know Your Product' is to be played at my funeral. You should not taunt me with such thoughts.
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Flying Out/Flying Nun/Arch Hill just can’t quit the party thing. Christmas Party at the KA, featuring Tiny Ruins, Grayson Gilmour and more.
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What's the big round food thing with the tomatoes? I think I want to eat it.
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