Leadership is one thing, dictatorship is something else.

“Visions” can be useful, if they can be made practical, but what of the “liveable city” and current Mayoral transport “visions.”

As presently envisaged, the transport vision (especially the CRL) does not resonate in either the practical sense, and the costs will make Auckland “UNliveable” for a large and increasing number of people.

The proposed increase in rates (also affecting rents), or transport costs like tolls, increased fuel taxes, will eat into wages through increased consumer costs.

As representatives of the people, (whose rates pay your salaries, lunches, transport, electronic devices and other privileges), your primary mission is to represent and to look after the citizens of this region to the best of your ability. Inevitably, what is best for the ‘public good’ is a complex and difficult judgement.

 

However, in my view, it must not include impractical, misguided visions of a few, imposed from above, with the mass being made hostage to someone’s dream, rather than a community-led, grass roots construct with widespread support, which is achieveable without driving many into penury, or forcing them to leave what has been a pretty liveable city before the “visions” came to town.

24.10.16

The Editor, NZ Herald

Dear Sir,                                  Letter to the Editor.

Here we go with some more local body monumentalism, this time from Mr Goff. ‘Leaders’ often build grandiose ‘monuments’ which they hope to be remembered for.

This is typical of so many politicians, who, as soon as they are elected start doing things which were never part of any of the ‘sales talk’ pre-elections, and for which there is no voter mandate. They just do what they want to do, no matter what it costs the ratepayers, or taxpayers, and no matter what major commitments already exist for the hapless ratepayers to meet.

As for the likelihood of other sponsors being found to take on some of the financial burden, stadia are generally poison chalices. Experiences of North Shore City Council in promoting the Bruce Mason Centre and the Albany Stadium saw various promises of ‘sponsors’ and sports clubs fade away once the council committed to build.

It is also notable that commercial organisations avoid building and owning stadia, because the return on investment is either minimal or negative, often because of the limited use and the high maintenance costs of such places. Auckland has a surplus of underutilised stadia.

What about dealing with some of our real problems Phil?

 

Dangerous Dogs

I am pleased that some serious attention is being given to the matter of dangerous dogs and dangerous breeds.

This problem has been with us for many years and the arguments have gone back and forth concerning needs and ‘remedies.’ In my view there are a number of matters which need to be dealt with sensibly and firmly.

1.The first is that many male dogs should be neutered. The worse the history of the breed the more essential this is. So it should be compulsory for all male ‘pit bull’ types – including any cross breeds with blood lines from the relevant breeds, to be neutered.

2. Because owners are a very critical element in the behaviour and relevant training of any dog, and because it is not possible to know the background, intent or capacity of the owner to correctly train and manage potentially dangerous dogs, the ownership of such dogs should be denied to all members of the public unless they have applied to be licensed to own such a dog and can give very satisfactory reasons for wanting to own such a dog. They must to show how it will be managed, cared for and tethered, muzzled etc, and accept and apply requirements of muzzling and on-lead control when out in public areas.

3. Any licensed owners should be confined to people who have properly fenced sections and denied to any in flats or apartments. Properties where such animals are located should be required to have an approved notice on their gate(s) stating that they own a dangerous dog.

4. In the same way that vehicle drivers must be licensed and required to have that licence on them when in charge of a vehicle, so too should licensed dog owners have to carry that license on them when in public areas with their dog.

5.Any future importation of potentially dangerous breeds should be banned as should any further breeding of such dogs within NZ.

It will certainly take quite some time for the current breeds and cross-breeds to diminish, and for the influence of the blood lines and genes to dissipate, but that is no reason for not beginning a regime which will help in this matter and greatly increase the safety of the public if the measures outlined above are actioned and policed.

Enforcement, as always is a key, and Police, Council animal control officers, and possibly MAF and SPCA should also be talked to, to enlist their assistance in this matter.