Have your say: Divided council

25jun14 - WDC, Hundertwasser vote, Mayor Sheryl Mai. PICTURE/Michael Cunningham NAG 19Jul14 - NRC BUILDING: Where to from here? asks Whangarei mayor Sheryl Mai. PHOTO MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM

At Wednesday's Whangarei District Council meeting an item came up entitled "More inclusive decision making" - the "inclusive" bit seeming to be about Maori input. A councillor Halse proposal was debated.

Councillors Hermon, Innes, Morgan and Williamson, and her worship the mayor supported him.

Councillors Bell, Bretherton, Cutforth, Deeming, Glen and Martin opposed the motion.
Our mayor used her casting vote to force the motion through.

A widely accepted convention is that it should be used to maintain the status quo.

Urgency is the commonly cited reason for doing otherwise. Some argued that it was desirable to move on but nobody claimed urgency.

The main argument against pressing on was that it was an important matter and the motion introduced material new to many councillors.

Furthermore, it had been agreed that there would be a workshop to discuss the issues and this had not occurred.

Our mayor said that the council had been busy. And ... ?

The matters to be decided were important. Of course all our representatives should be briefed.

Of course they should have the opportunity to discuss the matter. Of course if you agree to a meeting you should hold it.

And what harm could a month's delay (the time cited) possibly cause?

I see what happened as absolutely crazy.

How to create a divided council in one easy lesson.

Paul Berks
Whangarei

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