Mayor Len Brown in a written request to Council asked for a leave of absence for two months to allow him time to recover from his heart attack. Councillor David Collings (Pakuranga) without consulting anyone and presuming to know more about the mayor’s health status than the mayor himself proposed a six month leave of absence. The Council unanimously agreed to this but one wonders why Cr Collings would choose to second guess the Mayor Brown who presumably made the request in the hope of being back in two months. If at the end of that period he himself felt that he required more time undoubtedly it will be given.
Cr Collings comment that the whole Council “were kind of shocked” and “their bottom lip dropped” is way off the mark. Had I not wanted Len to have six month leave of absence I could have moved an amendment or voted against the six month period. I did neither.
Incidentally, there is no bad blood between John Walker and I. We have been friends for 35 years and in that time including many weeks on tour travelling together and sharing hotel rooms there has hardly ever been a cross word that has passed between us.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
150 Violent Crimes a Day
The Prime Minister’s claim that incidents of violent crimes are dropping is just not correct. Over the past nine years, violent offending has risen by 43% across the country, while in areas such as Counties-Manukau it has risen by 64%. Last year alone there were 56,983 recorded violent offences - an average rate of more than 150 a day.
In a short period of just nine days three people within a few miles of each other were murdered.
People are angry and demanding that harsher penalties are imposed on violent criminals. National has stated it will build more prisons. What it needs to consider is whether it will reintroduce private prisons. The one prison in Auckland that was run by the private sector was more secure, more humane had a better rehabilitation record and was cheaper to run. Only Labour’s socialist ideology demanded that it be closed.
In a short period of just nine days three people within a few miles of each other were murdered.
People are angry and demanding that harsher penalties are imposed on violent criminals. National has stated it will build more prisons. What it needs to consider is whether it will reintroduce private prisons. The one prison in Auckland that was run by the private sector was more secure, more humane had a better rehabilitation record and was cheaper to run. Only Labour’s socialist ideology demanded that it be closed.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Crime-Friendly Neighborhoods
"Burras Road was a pleasant cul-de-sac of 21 new homes in Bradford, England. Its residents were blissfully unaware that, just east of the site, approval for a proposed new shopping center required the breaching of their cul-de-sac by a bicycle-pedestrian path.
Planners favored this requirement because, they say, cul-de-sacs do not encourage movement and therefore are 'auto-dependent' and 'anti-urban.' Opening up the site would connect residents to local services, and the path would promote walking and cycling."
Planners favored this requirement because, they say, cul-de-sacs do not encourage movement and therefore are 'auto-dependent' and 'anti-urban.' Opening up the site would connect residents to local services, and the path would promote walking and cycling."
Thursday, June 19, 2008
NZ First needs to pay up
Has there ever been a more conniving or manipulative politician in New Zealand than Winston Peters. New Zealand First having been caught stealing from the tax payer and ordered by the Auditor General, Kevin Brady to pay the money that they spent illegally decided to “donate” the debt they owe the taxpayer to Starship Hospital. “We don’t want it”, said Starship, when given the cheque for $158,000. Unfazed and undaunted Peters then spreads the money around other charities including the Cystic Fibrosis Association.
CFA have also said thanks but no thanks and Peters has rounded on to them big time.
It’s time NZ First did the right thing, stopped dragging charity organizations into the political arena and pay back the money it owes the tax payer.
CFA have also said thanks but no thanks and Peters has rounded on to them big time.
It’s time NZ First did the right thing, stopped dragging charity organizations into the political arena and pay back the money it owes the tax payer.
PEC Seeks Ruling Over Land
"POTENTIALLY tens of thousands of dollars of ratepayers’ money will be spent on legal action aimed at clarifying a difference of opinion between the Counties Manukau Pacific Trust and Manukau City Council.
The legal matter concentrates on a sensitive ‘umbrella agreement’ between the organisations and highly valuable commercial land transactions.
An upcoming Auckland High Court case will attempt to determine which of the two parties is entitled to money that’ll be generated from any potential sale of land, zoned business 5, adjoining TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre at Manukau central."
The legal matter concentrates on a sensitive ‘umbrella agreement’ between the organisations and highly valuable commercial land transactions.
An upcoming Auckland High Court case will attempt to determine which of the two parties is entitled to money that’ll be generated from any potential sale of land, zoned business 5, adjoining TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre at Manukau central."
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Len Brown suffers setback
Manukau mayor Len Brown has suffered a setback in his recovery from heart surgery in Auckland Hospital and is now in a critical condition in Intensive Care.
Acting Manukau Mayor Gary Troup says Mr Brown had been making good progress but this turn for the worse is concerning.
“Len has undergone further surgery and is being closely monitored in intensive care. I have been in contact with his family and have offered the council’s full support,” Mr Troup says.
Acting Manukau Mayor Gary Troup says Mr Brown had been making good progress but this turn for the worse is concerning.
“Len has undergone further surgery and is being closely monitored in intensive care. I have been in contact with his family and have offered the council’s full support,” Mr Troup says.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Topless bar owner says courts 'too soft' on crims
The topless bar in Manurewa that Colleen Brown wanted shut down has been robbed at gunpoint the second such incident in the area in the last two weeks. Luckily, this time no one was hurt or killed but it does add weight to the police call for armed response in some parts of the country. The sad fact of life in New Zealand is that it is more violent and dangerous than it was even ten years ago. People I speak to are fed up with the violence carried out by a few and want action. For starters we need more police on our streets. New Zealand is under resourced when compared to Australia, US, England and Scotland. If it means paying the police more so be it. The first priority of any government is the protection of its citizens and their property.
Not so long ago the Helen Clark made the comment that we live in a benign environment. Clearly she has never been to some of the places in our community that are anything but benign.
Not so long ago the Helen Clark made the comment that we live in a benign environment. Clearly she has never been to some of the places in our community that are anything but benign.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Monday, June 9, 2008
Media Release: Level of Violence Shocks
Manukau City Council Portfolio Leader for Community Safety, Dick Quax is urging members of the public to help the police in their hunt for those who robbed and gunned down the owner of the Riverton Liquor shop in Manurewa.
The owner, Mr Navtej Singh dies in Middlemore Hospital after being gunned down in his store.
“I am shocked and saddened by the degree of violence in our community. Mr Singh complied with all the demands of the gunman which is what the police advise when people are confronted in these dangerous situations”.
Cr Quax says that there has been a dangerous escalation in violence and the fact that thugs are prepared to use of guns to obtain a small amount of money and some alcohol is particularly disturbing.
“I am also concerned that there has been ongoing anti social behaviour in this area. The shops are tagged from the ground to the roof. The entire area looks like something out of South Central Los Angeles. Houses, power poles, fences, trees, the children’s playground, the skateboard park, the Post Office letter box and the public telephone boxes have all been vandalised’’.
“I have asked the Manukau Beautification Trust to get rid if the tagging in the area which will go some way towards regaining some community pride in the area”.
End
The owner, Mr Navtej Singh dies in Middlemore Hospital after being gunned down in his store.
“I am shocked and saddened by the degree of violence in our community. Mr Singh complied with all the demands of the gunman which is what the police advise when people are confronted in these dangerous situations”.
Cr Quax says that there has been a dangerous escalation in violence and the fact that thugs are prepared to use of guns to obtain a small amount of money and some alcohol is particularly disturbing.
“I am also concerned that there has been ongoing anti social behaviour in this area. The shops are tagged from the ground to the roof. The entire area looks like something out of South Central Los Angeles. Houses, power poles, fences, trees, the children’s playground, the skateboard park, the Post Office letter box and the public telephone boxes have all been vandalised’’.
“I have asked the Manukau Beautification Trust to get rid if the tagging in the area which will go some way towards regaining some community pride in the area”.
End
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