You elected more of the same, and they delivered for you. I ran for mayor against a deputy mayor with 20 years of experience that told the residents of Tasman that he believed he could keep within our debt cap and rates cap by making the hard decisions. At the time, I said I would like to think we could but I don't see how it will be possible with a dam that is … [Read More...]
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Council Health Check
I must preface this post with an update of my situation after more than one Code of Conduct complaint brought against me for the content of my blog. The problem, I … [Read More...]
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Spend Spend Spend
The impact of the Government’s response to COVID-19 is beginning to be felt around the country with much more still to come as the wage subsidy is yet to run out and … [Read More...]
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Spin Doctoring
Dr Spin goes to work in the Council Newsline again this week (8 May 2020). See if you can spot the trend. On the Motueka Library project: On the topic of permanently chlorinating all water supplies: Obviously, we are a council that likes to assess … [Read More...]
Same Again With Different Results
The Council trend of more of the same continued last week, sorry, the same results after all. On Tuesday we voted for more unbudgeted spend to expedite our Freedom Camping bylaw review. How anyone could imagine that we are going to be plagued with Freedom … [Read More...]
COVID Lock Down Update
As we near the end of lock down (well, at least we are allowed takeaways – right?) I thought it a good opportunity to do a stock-take. Where are we at and what is going on in Council? Besides which my Councillor update in Newsline that was supposed to go … [Read More...]
TDC Limited Options
Rate increases are being flagged across the country as inappropriate at this time. The taxpayer's Union has called for a rate freeze for all Councils. Taxpayer Talk: Should local councils freeze rates?April 01, 2020 Louis HoulbrookeDespite the … [Read More...]
Dam Jumble Of Geology
[This is a purely fictitious tale, any resemblance to fact or persons alive or dead is totally coincidental.] As news of yet another Dam blowout reverberates around the district there appears to be more than crumbling rock at the heart of it. Signs are also … [Read More...]
Rate Increases Ahead
It never ceases to amaze me how fiscal responsibility is not one of the top considerations in Council decisions. We have a global crisis on our hands, with countries in lock-down, stock markets crashing, and businesses shedding staff. And yet it appears that … [Read More...]
Positive Change?
Council is starting to get it’s teeth into setting policy with a review of the Tasman Regional Management Plan (TRMP) and preparing to set the direction for spending in the next 10 year plan. I thought it would be a good time to update on how we are performing … [Read More...]