Parrots in council - Northern Advocate
- 10 February 2010
Who
is insulted?
Not
surprised by a personal remark made, an explanation re the bridge would’ve been
enough. Mr Simpson,
CEO of WDC, stated “Warren Slater makes an extraordinary comment ....second
bridge is controversial”. Parroting
others in council he also stated, “Mr Slater quite
recently arrived in our district” and “ Mr
Slater thinks of cost, not of the value the bridge will be to the district’s
image”.
Yes,
Mr Slater thinks of cost as many works to be done deserve
subsidies from government and should be lobbied for. Because an idea’s been around 15 years doesn’t
mean it’s the people of today’s priority.
Many believe a bridge isn’t iconic or upholds our image and may be more
controversial than council realises!
Regarding
the personal comment, we are New Zealander’s who have been Northlanders for 5
years, holidaying here for 39 years previously, coming here where you can be
yourself, be different and for the natural environment and people. We
feel progress needs to enhance this naturalness.
With
Simpson’s belief that we do not belong and obviously shouldn’t take an interest
in our district perhaps his council would be happy for us to pay our rates to
another district.
Comments
from Mr Simpson about the time ratepayers (who pay
his huge salary) have been here is unprofessional. If only he realized how many ratepayers he
was offending. Council encourages people
to visit and live here,
as a friend pointed out, council has programmes
in place for new immigrants, how would such comments make them all feel? Insulted I would think!
Pat Slater
Maunu