The Mole
Information is constantly being received. In some cases it is extremely hard to substantiate all the information given. If some of the informants were not kept totally confidential, their jobs could well be at risk or their businesses may be affected. We must protect their identity whilst still ensuring the people in the community remain well informed. Some may call it gossip; but normally “where there’s smoke, fire is often found”
You are most welcome to contribute to, or confirm or deny if you feel ‘The Moles’ digging up on any of these articles is unjust, if you so wish. Please make contact and if need be confidentiality will be assured.
‘Word has it’ - Explained
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Word has it :- 'There are moves afoot to create 2 unitary authorities in Northland. Is the reason to a/ remove the authoritive powers of the Northland Regional Council and thus allow a total breach and total disregard to environmental issues allowing selective developments to surge ahead unheeded, or b/ to get their hands on the assets of the Northland Regional Council (eg North Port shares)(what THEY forget is these are OUR (community shareholders/ratepayers)shares not THEIRS) cash them in and either spend on even more frivolous items or perhaps reduce DEBT to where they had promised it to be, to make it look good in the upcoming election (hoping ratepayers forget that they have sold off some of the crown jewels), or c/ Someone, or some are on "Power Trips", or d/ they don't want any accountabily, for anthing, to anybody.'
You choose the answer. I know what mine are.
See NRC Press release - March 2010.
See KDC Press release 3 March 2010. So who is/are the BULLY / BULLIES?
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Word has it :- ' In the Whangarei Report, Thursday 3rd December 2009, in Mr Mayor's "Our patch" it is claimed "a slur was cast upon the work of " senior Whangarei District Council staff. This is not correct. We have never thought for a moment Mr Mayor is a puppet, or had pupeteers who made him wink. Are we mistaken ?
The original letter re the "Wink" stated "They say actions speak louder than words! Mayor Semenoff, I would presume the wink you gave at the very end of the sale process was not for anyone but Mr. Wayne Hill sitting in your line of site. What did that mean?" This question has to date not been answered only a total denial of a wink by him.'
N.B. 'We have regularly stated, even before the last election, that there are many excellent staff within Whangarei District Council. We have also claimed that there needs to be a culture change by some in senior positions, as it appears, it could be, having an effect on the good staff. Some of these forget just WHO they are working for'
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Word has it :- ' In the Whangarei Report Thursday 3rd December 2009 in Mr Mayor's "Our patch" it is stated "Next year is election year and I guess we have an early signal that we are in for the usual fun and games" If your memory has not failed, you should well remember who started the dirty campaign against the emcumbent mayor. Some of us tried to stick to cold hard facts during the campaign.'
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Word has it :- 'Ratepayers have been receiving one (1) (single) page letters in A4 envelopes. Postage for a DLE (standard envelope) is .50cents (retail) & for an A4 (large envelope) $1-50. Could changes be made to save ratepayers money or is this not important?We could be saving a $1-00 per letter if sent in DLE envelopes'
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Word has it :- ' That one of the senior managers at Whangarei District Council, who states he never goes to restaurants, may have an identical twin brother who does go to restaurants and he may have short-term memory loss' -Yeh Right !!!! CAUTION - it may be confusing or embarrassing to approach this man.
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Word has it :- ' That our Mayor may now have interests in a different type of nursery. He has been busy offering "Olive Branches" to the many retailers and developers in the Whangarei CBD' ..... For what? We would like to know.
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Word has it :- ' There have been many statements in the media and at council meetings relating to the "Second Harbour Crossing" as referred to, by the mayor and senior staff, at Whangarei District Council. I have counted and there are already three harbour crossings (3 bridges) or is maths not one of their better subjects?'
'There is the older bridge (southern) now used as a carpark; there is the old bridge on solid foundations, in the centre; there is the northern new bridge. One, two, three; so the new one they want will be number FOUR!!!!! Guess some of us went to different schools and to different levels.'
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Word has it :- ‘that in the Whangarei District Council Infrastructure and Services Committee meeting of Wednesday 9th September 2009 our mayor quoted " the time to do contacts was whilst the sun shines" in his attempt to have contracts commenced ASAP. ' 'Does this mean we will see sewerage system upgrades starting or is his only interest in roading?'
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Word has it :- ‘that in the Whangarei District Council Finance and Support Committee meeting of 26th August 2009, while padding out the meeting to last more than the usual 5 minutes to a grand 31 minutes, (thought it slipped into one of their workshops) the illustrious chairman made comment that " the Whangarei District Council is one of the most significant players in the district". A good choice of words or are they really having fun playing with our money? - Player explained - Urban Dictionary and Concise Oxford Dictionary - You choose which one you think best explains what our council is doing.'
'Two examples are:-
1/ the $67,799.50 still owed apparently (as informed by a senior council staff member) by a company through mishandling a complaint of a leaking roof in the council rented building.
2/ the payment of $180,000.00 for lights from the Northland Rugby Union by WDC (which on some accounts were already owned by WDC) - Investigation underway'
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Word has it :- ‘that in the Whangarei District Council submission meeting of Wednesday 12th August 2009 there may have been a slip-up by one of the Councillors at the end of the meeting. Many submitters had spoken in regards to whether the Old Boys Rugby Club grounds should be sold to a developer to build a shopping complex.The Councillor stated " he didn't like to be told what to do by anyone" (who was he referring to?... the ratepayers, his wife, or the Mayor?) and then continued by asking "Will we get to view the agreement before voting on the submissions" Very interesting......................... An agreement???? !!!! Many had made comment that it was a DONE DEAL and it now certainly appears even more so as this Councillor was told "Yes it would all be available in the next couple of days" The present Councillor's were then TOLD only the Councillors who had been present for the whole process would be eligible to vote on the submissions. One wonders if OUR Mayor voted on the LTCCP submission process of which he was only present for 31% of the time of that process or are the Rules now changed to suit?' We need only ONE Rule Book & LEVEL PLAYING FIELDS. (excuse the pun)
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Word has it :- ‘that in Whangarei District Council every day just feels like a Wednesday. We have all heard of Monday-itis or Friday-itis but they have to be different. Check the document sent to one of our valued citizens and see just how many Wednesday's there are in a month, I mean how many Wednesday's there are in a week at WDC. !!!!
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Word has it :- ' that it was stated by "Senior Managers", when asked about the availability of monthly reports for Infrastructure & Services at the Whangarei District Council Infrastructure & Services meeting on 11th November, that they were available on line.' (These reports were not available at the meeting to some Councillors).
Check the snapshot of the Infrastructure & Services reports available captured at 1440 hrs on 11th November 2009 after the earlier meeting. Who is telling the PORKIES? Or don't some of them know what is there and what is not !!!!!
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Word has it :- ‘that Whangarei District Council has more power than we ever imagined. No other Council, Government or Country for that matter has ever been able to affect the change that WDC has been able to do. Who else could stretch 30th into 31st as never been done before? What, actually create extra days to enable projects to occur. Check the media release !!!! and you will see how.'
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Word has it :- ‘that council, or some of them at least, are preventing a particular rugby group from using the community “Kensington Park”. Thought one of the aims of council was to enhance the community - not stop sports groups from competing, or has it perhaps become an issue being that it’s the wrong brand of religious team that wishes to use it?’ …….. Hope not!!!
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Word has it :- ‘that many are writing to the Minister of Local Government, Hon. Rodney Hide, with various concerns about the Whangarei District Council. People have concerns regarding how and where their money is being spent and questioning Councils priorities of spending and lack of open consultation.’
(View a reply from the Minister of local Government)
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Word has it :- ‘that after Councillor Syers outburst (view context of his outburst) at the council meeting on 22nd April in relation to people failing to stand for the gown and chain clad Mr Mayor , there have been a number of complaints, re his actions, made to council and the Auditor General as people believe WDC Code of Conduct may have been breached.’ - Will keep you informed!
NB. Can you image Mr Mayor not knowing what was happening?
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Word has it :- ‘that council claimed to have spent “in excess of one hour” retrieving information relating to an OIA request when the information was readily available on their web site and was able to be accessed in less than 5 minutes!! A great way to make $120. Whoops sorry, now $140!!’
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Word has it :- ‘that councillors were offered a free website and tuition to understand and maintain it by a group of concerned residents; but they are one by one declining the generous offer. Perhaps they do not wish to make comment inside or outside the chamber and failing to keep the ratepayers informed of what is or is not happening!’
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Word has it :- ‘that the decision and late notification for WDC senior staff to participate in a local television discussion on the towns sewerage system issues is a fine example of councils ‘dropping the ball’ in their chance to enter into consultation with the community. It was an excellent opportunity to promote the Whangarei District Council - Long Term Community Plan 2009-2019, but it is understood a couple of people interviewed did a great job promoting it for the WDC. Wonder what their PR charges to council will be?’
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Word has it :- ‘that inspections of the cities sewerage system are being undertaken by senior personnel. Wonder if these two are the experts in their field? Well maybe they are!' View video clip - Warning - content may be offensive to some people.
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Word has it :- ‘that shortly we may only have a couple of councillors as ‘moonlighting’ is frowned upon. Are they expected to walk away from their varied businesses, walk off their farms, leave their professions and survive on the basic remuneration as a councillor. Would hate to think the areas of governance and management boundaries have overlapped in this process.’
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Word has it :- ‘that we heard on the grapevine that the materials for the stadium have far exceeded the budget and one wonders how those working on it will be paid. Wouldn’t it be interesting to investigate the financial aspects of this project to date. It certainly looks like it is going to far exceed the budget and you know who will pay.’ Is this not a case of “we told you so?”
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Word has it :- ‘that we are still waiting for the simple transaction list of “properties owned by council” requested under the Official Information Act first asked for on 21st January 2009. After a number of contacts from WDC and then told last week, 8th April, it was in the printer. Jokingly, thought they must be out of ink; or is the guy still chipping it into the granite?'
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Word has it :- ‘that the property owned by council, mentioned in regards to outstanding debts may not be “commercially sensitive” as described, BUT more of a council embarrassment from bad management resulting in the bad debt’ – any business can go into liquidation if the roof leaks enough.
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Word has it :- ‘that the group of twelve (G12) has major influence in regards of projects in Whangarei, You would possibly be surprised who is in this group and how they operate’
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Word has it :- ‘that we are still waiting for confirmation that it is now registered on the title of the property, at the bottom of Southend Ave owned by the Mayor, the site that is filled with large amounts of sawdust and then hard-fill on top to pretty it up. Hope the next owner insists that all the appropriate checks are done before purchasing it and the land sinks from under them in time’
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Word has it :- ‘that council is apparently deeply concerned at the amount of Official Information requests and the media attention it has created’
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Word has it :- ‘that the forest (previously owned by the ratepayers)that recently sold in Kioreroa Road for $1,271,500-00, has according to a expert in the industry, in the present economic climate has between $600,000-00 and $750,000-00 net worth of timber on it. A good deal for the purchaser for 53.294 hectares in that area. Bet many would have liked to offer to purchase if it only had gone for sale on the OPEN market’
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Word has it :- ‘that the links on the WDC website – GIS maps, to rating details, of many of the “properties of interest”, some that had OIA requests on and some belonging to the G12 and also staff, were mysteriously removed at the beginning of March and only repaired after dialogue and raising concern with staff in customer services on April 8th. Two councillors had failed in their attempts to remedy the problem earlier’
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Word has it :- ‘that a simple OIA request for the costs for consultation in Whangarei’s ageing sewage issues has resulted in a fob off with a cost estimate of $600-00 to produce a simple transaction list, which is available on most simple accounting software packages. Maybe the over $1 million spent on upgrading the council computers was a waste of ratepayers money if unable to produce such results instantly and simply’
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Word has it :- ‘that some contracts are not awarded, as portrayed by council, in an open and transparent process, on a level playing field with tenders being requested. On all accounts they appear to be awarded in some cases to those on the “flavour of the month” list and not on price, of which price should be more of a benefit to the ratepayer’
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'If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything'
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