Click on Bold or Coloured Titles to Link to Letters
*********************************************************
Victoria Bridge - Whangarei Leader - 31st January 2012. Is the bridge more prettier than functional? Is it time they listened to the potential users rather than going off on their own tangents?
About time a real multi-events centre built - Northern Advocate - 10th January 2012. Those were the promises but many have failed to eventuate as it appears it's a rugby stadium. After using smaller sports as pawns to procure approvals they are then cast away by those wanting their own projects completed.
Tidal problems - Northern Advocate - 29th December 2011. What allows a high tide to infiltrate the towns sewerage system causing the CBD to close down leading up to Christmas? Isn't it time major works were undertaken on the towns sewerage system to stop council continually polluting our harbour, with or without resource consent?
Rest in pieces? - Northern Advocate - 14th December 2011. Local iwi find dumped grave heastones on the Onerahi foreshore. Council admits it has known for some time; but what have council done to remedy it?
More debt for ratepayers, yippee - Northern Advocate - 23rd November 2011. Paper published the same letter two days consecutively . Same as Back to basics (below)
Back to basics - Northern Advocate - 22nd November 2011. They want ratepayers money to go to another museum. Is that basic infrastructure? I would much rather have no poo in the harbour for a healthier environment; so fix the sewerage system properly.
System Loophole - Northern Advocate - 14th November 2011. Read how an OIA to Whangarei District Council uncovers a loophole in their system. Was an old memo used in an attempt to cover up how Cr John Williamson had his wifes parking ticket cancelled?
How Treated? - Whangarei Leader - 13th September 2011. An abridged letter
with the same message as the one below.
Sewage discharge - Northern Advocate - 8th September 2011. Read how Whangarei District Council are seeking resource consent to discharge more sewage into the Hatea River & our harbour. Have your say by making a submission against this unacceptable practice of using our waterways as a dumping ground. Link to Submission Form or contact Northland Regional Council.
Conflicting? - Whangarei Leader - 2nd August 2011. Read how sewage spills initiate conflicting media reports from council. How can effluent overflows at Hatea pump station be classified as 'partially treated'? Is that watered down with storm water?
Trucks trash - Northern Advocate - 11th July 2011. After 2 trips to Auckland last week I felt it necessary to write (with a challenge to politicians) about the trucks and the state of the roads in Northland. Bulk freight needs to be on Rail. Link to a text view to Northern Advocate 13th July 2011.
Dog registration - Northern Advocate - 30th June 2011. Dog registration climbs up by16.2% while council claims only 4.5% increase in rates. If they want people to pay and use the system, why not keep the charges reasonable? Check the increases in consents, rubbish, parking etc and what is the real increase?
Please turn up - Whangarei Leader - 28th June 2011.
- Northern Advocate - 22nd June 2011.
An example of the great service received from Whangarei hospital in caring for my elderly mother. Bouquets to the staff for their top notch manner.
Focus on basics - Northern Advocate - 7th June 2011. A reprint, but slightly abridged letter of one previously published a month ago, but sewage overflows keep happening; so do letters to remind them.
Council integrity - Northern Advocate - 24th May 2011. To sell your integrity and the integrity of others for $60-00 really does show, their 'true worth'. Are these people fit to represent the citizens who pay their wages? Personally, i don't think so.
Sewage woes - Northern Advocate - 6th May 2011. Concern at sewage spills and overflows when money is being spent on other projects that many believe are of far less importance than fixing the sewerage issues.
Trust money - Northern Advocate - 15th April 2011. (Republished again16th April 2011 - they must have felt it had a message in it) Clear view of helicopter spending; Yeah right? Why a lack of transapency and are some facts being hidden?
Gravy train - Northern Advocate - 11th April 2011. Now a third helicopter is purchased by a trust that needed funding in the form of targeted rates from the Northland Region. And the trustees don't want to tell where the money goes and to whom. So who is getting fat on the proceeds?
Should we steal gallery idea? - Northern Advocate - 28th March 2011. Can we afford it? Is it appropriate? Does it truely represent Whangarei? Or is it just another want by a few in power?
Lest we forget - Northern Advocate 1st February 2011. Special thanks to those that made submissions preventing the Whangarei District Council from legally dumping raw untreated sewage into our harbour.
Muddy water - Whangarei Leader - 1st February 2011 (same as Maintenance)
Maintenance - Northern Advocate - 28th January 2011. Mr Mayor you have had your 'Century' (100 days in office) to fix the problems you promised on the election......Now its my turn to bat, so beware, I'm a stayer and in for the long haul.
Pat on the back - The Whangarei Report - 12th August 2010.
Think of guests too - Northern Advocate - 4th August 2010.
Bad booze attitudes must go - Northern Advocate - 29th July 2010. (Original)
Wise words help bad news - Northern Advocate - 27th July 2010. (Pat Slater)
Pooh stink - The Whangarei Report - 15th July 2010.
Time to get out of this poo - Northern Advocate - 9th July 2010. (Original)
see replies - Two urgent problems (M McDonald) &
- Get back to basics (Chris Carter) - Northern Advocate - 15th July 2010.
Showing off talent - Northern Advocate - 6th July 2010.
Pollution costs - The Whangarei Report - 1st July 2010 (Pat Slater)
A clear view - The Whangarei Report - 24th June 2010.
Worthy rally - Northern Advocate - 23rd June 2010. (Pat Slater)
Real people matter - Northern Advocate - 9th June 2010.
Depressing - Whangarei Leader - 8th June 2010. (Pat Slater)
Case against crims - Northern Advocate - 7th June 2010.
Closer communities - Northern Advocate - 4th June 2010. (Pat Slater)
Care for our own first - Northern Advocate - 20th May 2010. (Pat Slater)
Talent among taggers - Northern Advocate - 17th May 2010.
Hospice awareness - Northern Advocate - 14th May 2010. (Pat Slater)
Road show on Local Government - The Northland Age - 13th May 2010.
A synopsis of my attendance to eight meetings on Local Governance undertaken by WDC staff.
Technology works - The Northland Age - 6th May 2010.
Comments on a vistit to Far North District Council meeting 29th April
Comments appreciated - Northern Advocate - 4th May 2010
see Mayor Semen-off's reply - Northern Advocate - 6th May 2010.
see Wayne Deemings reply - Northern Advocate - 11th May 2010
You must cross the negatives to get a positive (e.g. - crossed with - = +)
and a reminder about 'who' said it publicly (for those with bad memories or in
total denial. Isn't a newspaper saying it publicly? I,m not the one in the pork industry).
and 'The letter to a tiny group' from Henry, Gerald, Stan GA Semen-off Mayor.
If the governance is not broken, why fix it? - Northern Advocate Guest Editorial - 9th April 2010 (an accumulation of letters on Local Government options for Northland as below but published as a Guest Editorial)
Councils at loggerheads over reform proposals for North - Radio New Zealand - Friday 16th April 2010.
Campaign on Northland local govt reform heads to Waipu - Radio New Zealand - Wednesday 21st April 2010.
Government will not impose further reforms, says Hide - Radio New Zealand - Wednesday 21st April 2010.
Ratepayer spectator in game of power - Northern Advocate (Craig Cooper Editorial) - 21st April 2010.
Report is a council plot - Northern Advocate letters - 23rd April 2010. (one is from an ex councillor)
and even a letter from the mayor and another letter, also from an ex councillor)
WDC Public Notices 'Scare Tactics' - Whangarei Leader - 27th April 2010.
Not-so-super spend-up - Northern Advocate - 17th May 2010. Wayne Deeming
Inquiry call on spending - Whangarei Leader - 27th April 2010.
Spectators sidelined...save 'family silver' - Northern Advocate - 30th April 2010 (different perspectives from a couple of WDC & NRC Councillors)
NRC 'likely base' for sole North body - Northern Advocate - 3rd May 2010.
Skewed facts and Piece of PR letters - Northern Advocate - 3rd May 2010.
Radio advertisement for WDC - MoreFM - 5th May 2010. (Unbiased or biased ad? What do you think? Still casting confusion, doubt & buck passing? Insulting to WDC? or NRC?)
See Ngunguru Sandspit Protection Society Inc. - Local Govt options for Northland
Play an eye-opener - Northern Advocate - 5th April 2010 (Pat & Warren Slater)
Local Government Options for Northland - Whangarei, Dargaville & Kaikohe letters sent in regards to 3 of the 6 meetings on McKinlay Report (all pending publication)
(see Wayne Deemings letter) - The Whangarei Report - 1st April 2010
Timing of contracts - The Whangarei Report - 1st April 2010
Unitary councils - Northern Advocate - 29th March 2010 (Pat Slater)
Status quo no option - Northern Advocate - 25th March 2010 (Pat Slater)
User friendly? - Whangarei Leader - 23rd March 2010 (Pat Slater)
Employment contracts - Northern Advocate - 23rd March 2010 (see Cr Syers reply.... if you can find anything in my letter that caused 'an insulting slight upon my professional integrity' as quoted by Mr Syers please tell me, or is he confused? Just like when he insisted, in one of his sermons, that those that did not wish to stand for his "Boss" stay outside the chamber, which he never approached us about. This has duly upset the boss as he wants to think we are always late instead of why we don't wish to stand. We are always early, but as instructed by Warwick, wait outside the chamber till the prayer is about to be read. Thanks Warwick for the explanation regarding the CEO's contract as this has not been clarified at a public meeting. Its like pulling teeth getting information from the present council..... hence many of us have stacks of Official Information requests!)
(See Warwick Syers the Rugby Insider you take a vow of silence and agree to keep your mouth shut)
(See Wayne Deeming's letter) - Northern Advocate - 29th March 2010
Cold,hard facts on global warming - cash no cure - Northern Advocate - 1st March 2010 (letter with photo)
Letter to Bream Bay News and sent to Warren by Steve Goldthorpe
Warren Slaters reply email to Steve Goldthorpe - 3 March 2010
Steve Goldthorpe letter - Northern Advocate - 3 March 2010
Steve Goldthorpe reply email to Warren Slater - 3 March 2010
Warren Slaters 2nd reply email to Steve Goldthorpe - 3 March 2010
Ian Wishart reply - Northern Advocate - 5 March 2010
Multi-events centre - Northern Advocate - 18th February 2010
Less is more - Whangarei Leader - 16th February 2010 (letter with photo)
Parrots in council - Northern Advocate - 10th February 2010 (Pat Slater)
Communication gap - Northern Advocate - 6th February 2010 (Pat Slater)
Answers on bridge spend - Northern Advocate – 2nd February 2010 (I only asked for Community feedback and queried the cost of aesthetics - look at the wonderful responses received and maybe some may have been involved?)
Original Design concepts which triggered discussion. Northern Advocate - 30th January 2010.
WDC CEO Mark Simpson's reply (was he on the design team?) - Northern Advocate - 6th February 2010.
See reply by Wayne Deeming to Simpsons letter - Northern Advocate - 10th February 2010.
Advocate Opinion on bridge - Northern Advocate - 6th February 2010.
Even more comments - Northern Advocate - 8th February 2010.
And even more comments - Northern Advocate - 16th February 2010.
And even more comments - Whangarei Leader - 16th February 2010 and more (not bad when the WDC. CEO Simpson claimed it wasn't contraversial !!!!)
High time to make a stand - Northern Advocate - 29th January 2010
See letter by Cr Brian McLachlan in regards to sewerage system ongoing problems - Northern Advocate - 10th February 2010.
Salute to NRC councillors - Northern Advocate - 5th January 2010 (Warren & Pat Slater)
Everyday like Christmas Day - Northern Advocate - 14th December 2009 (Pat Slater)
Control of the worst kind - sent to Northern Advocate on 27th November 2009 - (Not yet published) - Pat Slater
Shame,shame,shame - The Whangarei Report - 19th November 2009 (Warren & Pat Slater) (see published ammended letter)
Nudge-nudge,wink-wink - Northern Advocate - 9th November 2009 (Pat Slater)
See Mayor Semen-off's reply ( Did the letter hit a nerve? Many callers have been asking, even some different ones from within)
See letter from Wayne Deeming in response to the Mayor
See more Letters to Editor responding to this letter - Northern Advocate - 28th November 2009
Please follow the rules - Northern Advocate - 6th November 2009
(an interesting comment on Monday 9th November 2009, from some one within, 'loved your letter, it was exactly what he said, he made a point of it, like he normally does')
(see Wayne Deemings letter - The Whangarei Report - 19th November 2009)
Good Politics - Northern Advocate - 8th September 2009
Keeping informed - Northern Advocate - 4th September 2009
Kaipara conversation - The Whangarei Report - 3rd September 2009
See Kaipara District Council reply Chief Executives Report Sept 2009 (on page 3)
Missed the Target - Northern Advocate - 3rd September 2009
Well worth entering contest - Northern Advocate - 16th & 26th August 2009 (Warren & Pat Slater)
Telethon spirit recovers - Northern Advocate - 13th August 2009 (Pat Slater)
One sea, one seashore - Northern Advocate - 10th August 2009- (Pat Slater)
Selective vaccination - Northern Advocate - 30th July 2009
See Mayor's reply and the Northern Advocate same day front page article 30 July (who informs who?)
See comment from F Iseke - Northern Advocate - 6th August 2009
See comment from L Craig - Northern Advocate - 11th August 2009
Dangers in mass use of Tamiflu - Northern Advocate - 11th August 2009
Who ya gonna call? - The Whangarei Report - 30th July 2009
Top Marks - Northern Advocate - 25th July 2009
Museum's situation disputed - Northern Advocate - 2nd July 2009 (Pat Slater)
See Mayor's reply (as anticipated, but gosh, who writes for him?)
Bridge over Troubled Water
- Northern Advocate - 29th June 2009
- The Whangarei Report - 2nd July 2009
Multi Events ? Confirmed Not Now
- Northern Advocate - 22nd June 2009
- Whangarei Leader - 23rd June 2009
- The Whangarei Report - 25th June 2009
Who is for a cuppa? - The Whangarei Report - 28th May 2009
- Northern Advocate – 28 May 2009
Previous action caused reaction - The Whangarei Report - 21st May 2009
Action and Reaction
- Whangarei Leader - 12 May 2009
- Northern Advocate - 12 May 2009
Who's listening - Northern Advocate - 12 May 2009 (Pat Slater)
They didn't say boo - Importance of LTCCP
- Northern Advocate - 8 April 2009
- The Whangarei Report - 5 April 2009
- Whangarei Leader - 5 April 2009
Gone fishing - Who's fishing - Northern Advocate 7 April 2009
Cost of Information - Costs of Transparency
- Whangarei Leader - 31 March 2009
- The Whangarei Report - 26 March 2009
- Northern Advocate - 19 March 2009
I read with interest – The Whangarei Report - 16 March 2009
Have your say - Sustainable Futures 30/50
- Northern Advocate – 26 February 2009
- Whangarei Leader – 26 February 2009
What about $4m fix? -Is there or is there not, a $4 million fix? - Northern Advocate – 17 February 2009 See WDC reply
Treated sewage is different - Bowel emptying in city pool (Pat Slater)
- Northern Advocate - 6 February 2009
- The Whangarei Report - 3 February 2009
Stadium decision of grandeur - Fishing any one?
- Whangarei Leader – 3 February 2009
- Northern Advocate – 31 January 2009
Anniversary weekend and Western Hills Station was buzzing - Northern Advocate - 27 January 2009
Sewage before art - In need of more listeners – The Whangarei Report – 15 January 2009 (Pat Slater)
Trying to push it uphill - Answers please - Northern Advocate - 13 January 2009
Toward a cleaner harbour - Special Thanks after march
- Whangarei Leader – 13 January 2009
- Northern Advocate – 23 December 2008
- The Whangarei Report – 18 December 2008
- Newstalk ZB – 14 December 2008
Sewage scandal - The best investment yet – Northern Advocate - 9 December 2008
Something smells - Pooh, what stinks? – Northern Advocate - 14 November 2008
Dancing in the dark - What’s transparency?
- The Whangarei Report – 10 November 2008
- Northern Advocate - 23 October 2008
Views can be voiced - Community involvement (Pat Slater)
- Northern Advocate - 13 Sept 2008
- Whangarei Leader - 8 Sept 2008
Lecture – Northern Advocate - 4 Sept 2008
Stormy Praises - Northern Advocate - 31 July 2008
- Whangarei Leader - 31 July 2008
True Colours Darkening - Northern Advocate - 25 July 2008
Manners maketh man - Reply to true colours & Apology needed – Northern Advocate - 25 July 2008
Respect on the waka please
- Northern Advocate - 17 July 2008
- Whangarei Leader - 22 July 2008
Good changes - Dog-gone Impressed
- The Whangarei Report - 12 June 2008
- Northern Advocate - 9 June 2008
Wot’s that floating in the harbour? - Northern Advocate - 28 May 2008
New centre? Not yet - Who is paying? Event Centre – Northern Advocate - 16 May 2008 (Pat Slater)
'Too bad that all the people who really know how to run a country are busy driving taxi cabs and cutting hair.' ~ George Burns
