Why do these gentlemen believe that local Maori cannot make a worthwhile contribution in council?
Inviting a Maori perspective would be a plus for Rotorua in that the council and people will be better informed before exercising their democratic right.
I believe our mayor does have the mandate to "fire from the hip" and so far she has hit the target. Many towns compete for tourists and we must be fast on our feet to stay with them.
Don't forget that uninformed councillors and vested interests messed up our airport and set us back years.
JOHN RIKA
Rotorua
The design for the green corridor as set out in the Rotorua Daily Post raises some interesting questions.
1. How will the crossing of busy Ranolf Rd be managed?
2. How wide will the path for cycles, mobility scooters, skateboards and rollerskates be? Passing will need to be catered for, or will this impinge on footpaths? Could be interesting with the different speeds involved and different age groups.
3. Tutanekai St is not all that wide to accommodate all this when one considers the delivery trucks which in the centre of the road park while making delivery calls.
4. Will access to the various health centres in Haupapa St be impaired?
B.A. BUCHTON
Rotorua
The controversy surrounding the current exploits of the council and mayor Steve Chadwick appear to be getting out of hand; what we need now is a firm, and irrevocable basis on which to decide the future of this lovely city.
A majority of two is not a majority, not in the current scheme of things; in order to find a solution a far wider approach needs to be put into practice - this really means having a vote of confidence with regard to the whole tenure of the council's politics - it is time for this regime to be held to account - and the only way forward is to have such a vote - from the people if necessary; too much is at stake - financially, and fundamentally as we are talking about changes that may well be irreversible without great cost.
Too many people - ratepayers - are showing concern over the implementing of current council strategy - this cannot be ignored; it is now time to have a show of hands because the thing many people have suspected has come to light - the thinking that perhaps our mayor has bitten off more than both she and the council can chew; it may need a stronger set of teeth!
JIM ADAMS
Rotorua
Thank goodness there are a few councillors who do not endorse nasty surprises dished out to ratepayers.
Since when has discussion with only Te Arawa been "open discussion"? Open discussion and public consultation are an integral part of democracy and that is not what the Rotorua district is sharing under this leadership. It's more like a dictatorship.
It seems that too many members of this council want to leave their mark on the district, unfortunately by hasty implementation of ill-conceived ideas. Enough has been said about the change of name but for me Rotorua will always be the Rotorua District. Now it's the "green corridor" - fait accompli.
It was not so long ago that this council offered free parking in the inner city to attract shoppers and this it did. Now they want to reverse this trend by removing at least 65 parking spaces to create a corridor for a variety of wheeled devices.
Since when did cyclists, roller bladers or scooter riders carry shopping bags? How safe are those on mobility scooters going to feel with the inevitable hooners around them? Where are those who would have parked in town going to park after the changes? I suggest down at the mall and chances are that's where they'll shop.
I was one of those who voted for a change in mayor. Now I really regret that and can't wait till the next election where the current mayor and her fledglings may discover she was a "one hit wonder".
I endorse the Pro-democracy Society concept but it is sad that the Rotorua district has had to resort to this. Long live democracy. Down with dictatorship.
PADDI HODGKISS
Rotorua
I am pleased to see that the Rotorua Pro-Democracy Society will vigorously challenge the plans of the mayor of Rotorua to push a plan through council to implement a "Te Arawa partnership plan".
This plan if implemented will see local iwi representation on council and its committees, probably with voting rights. The iwi representatives will not be elected by the Rotorua ratepayers on a one resident one vote basis and probably will not be elected by a democratic process by all Te Arawa either.
This plan attacks fundamental political rights which have been developed and defended over centuries. I believe that democratic processes are the best mechanism with which to elect representatives and also to dispense with their services if they fail to serve the interests of the population. The plan proposes unelected persons be given power in making council decisions, moreover these persons are not able to be removed by the wider electorate.
The implementation of this proposal also appears to be undemocratic. It is likely that it will be put to council on December 18 with no further reference to electors. The full details of the proposals are not currently available and we are left with drawing "likely" and "probable" conclusions. The mayor, being a politician, knows that a deftly timed resolution will be out of most people's mind for perhaps a month and will thereby have a quiet implementation.
The Pro-Democracy group apparently has no issue with far greater liaison and consultation with Te Arawa and other iwi. I agree, this is needed and valuable, however the interests of Maori and Pakeha alike are not served by the proposed unrepresentative, undemocratic devices.
ALAN BARNES
Rotorua
