Respect
on the waka please - Northern Advocate - 17 July 2008
-
Whangarei Leader - 22 July 2008
Apology Needed
The warm fuzzies
muted at the first, new term, council meeting on 31st October 2007
seem to have disappeared. Quotes of “all in the Waka
together”, “working together” and “ respecting one
another” seem to have been forgotten by some that need to set better examples.
My wife and I attend a large
percentage of open “public Council meetings” and have the advantage to witness
the behaviour of most in the chamber. The Community Enterprises meeting
of Wednesday 9th July really showed some true colours. Councillor
Merv Williams was attempting to improve some of the
monthly reporting to ensure persons not electronically equipped better
accessibility of such reports. Councillor Sheryl Mai
then spoke in support of the motion.
It was obvious that our mayor, Stan Semenoff was not interested, so he turned away, yes, turned
his back on Councillor Mai, looked at the structure
of the ceiling of the Council chambers, talked to others behind and along side him, looked at the clock on the wall and then as
her allocated time was nearing, attempted to gain the attention of the chair
person by tapping his wrist/watch trying to indicate her time was up.
Stan, you disappointed us and others
also present. If one was to turn around in the waka,
which you regularly refer to, you would possibly fall out. That type of
disrespect does not build good teams. It may have been more prudent for you to
have left the chamber than display your lack of attention in listening to
someone else exercising the democratic responsibility they were elected, like
yourself, to do. An apology at the next public council meeting is most needed.
Warren
Slater
Maunu