Right now Whanganui District Council wants your thoughts on a range of policies and strategies, some capable of extracting tears of boredom.
But the Long Term Plan is one everyone should have a look at.
Every three years the council drafts what it plans to do over the next 10 years and how it is going to be paid for.
The council then shows that plan and asks the public for comments, thoughts, preferences.
The a plan summary and submission forms are available from the council offices or on its website.
This Saturday councillors will be stationed at the River Traders Market to answer questions and the council is trying other innovative methods of collecting feedback.
It is then collated and debated by councillors who along with staff can make changes made to the plan before it becomes final.
Window dressing?
Not everyone will get what they want but some will.
Just ask Castlecliff.
Faced with no money in last year's draft annual plan to complete the Rangiora St upgrades, community representatives turned up to submissions en masse.
A week later there was a cool $350,000 in the bank.
Four years ago council planned to close the aviary but pupils from Room 3 at St John's Hill School who persuaded councillors to reinstate the funding.
People are listened to.
There's a saying about those who don't vote losing their right to complain.
But a vote only decides who makes decisions on your behalf whereas a submission can actually influence those decisions.
So have your say.
The you can have a guilt-free moan if it doesn't go your way.
