News of Jack Bullock's arrest for cannabis possession has taken social media by storm with posts both for and against the councillor.
Casey Burgess urged him to stay strong and not to back down from the council as he was "an awesome leader and role model".
Others credited Bullock forhis honesty and at least one said those in glass houses should not throw stones. Karen Sutton said she doubted Bullock was the only politician doing "illegal s...".
Frank Reardon questioned why the councillor should resign when he used the drug in his own time.
"Yes, he did wrong, but at least he admitted what he did was wrong. If he is doing good for the community and making changes for the better, like I have been seeing, then why don't the people of Wanganui get behind him?"
Lily Hayward told negative commenters to "reflect on the good and positive pathways Jack has".
Donna Cunningham: "He's only a kid for goodness sake, he should be able to enjoy a good joint whenever he feels like 1."
On the other side of the debate, Lisa Allpress said, "Drugs are drugs. One thing leads to the next, lives get ruined, dope kills your brain cells slowly but surely, then on to the next one to get a bigger kick.
"It's a shame that small-minded people think it's okay to do it. It's actually against the law for a reason."
Andrew Slight posted: "Guy breaks the law and is hailed as a hero. Yeah, it's just weed, we all know everyone does it blah blah blah ... but it is still illegal" and said that, as a public servant, Bullock should do "his utmost to remain within the law".
Jacqueline Sperling called Bullock's involvement with "legal high" protests ironic in light of the arrest.
Minutes after the story appeared on the Chronicle's website yesterday, a Facebook page called "Cr Jack Bullock Should Resign" was created.
