Councils Holding the Country to Ransom

[TheLiberalLeft]

2 people in a place with 10 toilets flush the loo no more than 2 people in a place with 1 toilet. If it's a residential tax (which I know it's not at present) call it what it is - a tax on the rich.

[Maccachic]

But just cos you have two toilets doesnt mean you use them twice as much? Or do they??

[TheLiberalLeft]

I thought everyone did #1's in #1 loo then proceded to #2 for the #2's.

[Perry]

Seems not too dissimilar to the position NZ Post
is in. Their dubious solution is to increase prices
and cut costs (not including Comrade Chairman
Commissar Cullen's stipend, of course) That's
the road to ruin for the paper envelope and NZ's
postal services.

The whole focus is wrong: both councils and NZ
Post. It is old generation thinking tinkering with
new generation problems.

Tax on the rich?

When the kids and staff are at school, they aren't
using the toilet at home. And vice versa. How does
the number of pans and the places they're in,
change the defecating and urinating habits/usage
by people?

Stop the profligacy in other expenditure areas.
Morons unite and march - that would empty the
council buildings most everywhere.

[Wayne]

OK - so not a lot of merit. I seem o remember that someone brought it in for schools (like they can afford it) so they shut off a number, had queues and problems but, as you say, people still had to go. Window tax in England in the 1800's (?).

All tax systems, central and local, are a for of socialist distribution of wealth. Because my house is worth more (or in Hamilton on a more expensive section) doesn't mean I use more services.

Generally I (and probably most) people don't mind paying our fair share (and a bit for someone else) but when it gets wasted, as it seems to be now, we start looking for ways out. Having said that, people are looking for the council (and central govt) to provide more and more these days - so long as someone else pays.

[Shalodge]

Interesting meeting with Council planners yesterday..

Planner: "A subdivision RMA Resource consent application (Land use) has been publicly notified and there are 6 submitters in opposition to the development so it will have to go to a hearing".

Me: "Fine set it down and we will hear it next month".

Planner: "One of the submitters is a local Marae .. they want the matter heard on their marae"

Me: "No"

Planner: "Ok we will adjourn the meeting and go to the Marae to hear their submissions and then return"

Me: "Why?"

Planner: "Because we are legally obligated to consider Maori cultural needs"

Me: "What about the applicant's needs? Our user pays policy says that the applicant pays the full cost of the hearing, how much extra cost will this create?"

Planner: "Umm there's koha, interpreter, logistics, travel and everyone's extra time .. maybe Several thousand $".

Me: " @*!$$#@ " "Explain to me how creating extra cost for this developer when we are telling them we are working to reduce their costs is justified, and how hearing any part of this matter of the marae will result in better outcomes for them and the community?"

Planner: "Ummm" "It wont but they will kick up a fuss, perform a haka and disrupt the hearing if you dont".


Me: " Then bring it on.. they will be out on the footpath, the hearing will only take half the time, and costs will be reduced".

Planner: "Ummm" "We dont want any unpleasantness.. just be nice and put up with it?"

Me: "@%%$#!**&"


Watch this space...

[eri]

sad really

everything grinds to a halt

when everyone feels they have a right to be consulted

it's why fresh new countries

become stale old countries

oz follows the usa way of death to red-tape

nz follows the uk to death by decay

[motivated]

Which local body Shalodge?

[Shalodge]

Bay of Plenty

[Bob Kane]

Good on you, Shalodge.
Keep it up.

Planner: "Because we are legally obligated to consider Maori cultural needs"

It only says consider.
It doesn't say be held hostage.

[Davo36]

Shalodge, how frustrating.

It must be just so easy not to challenge this sort of stuff. Just go with the flow, let the applicant pay for it all.

Good on you for standing up for what's right.

We need to get this country moving and it's this sort of nonsense that holds everything up.

[motivated]

Stand your ground.

I presume you are culturally sensitive to having this forced on you too !!
If the submitters really wish to have a say at the hearing, then they will come and speak. It is crap to suggest they will be offended if you dont agree to hear there stuff on a marae. They either want to have their say just like anyone else and at the venue for the hearing--or the issue cant be that important to them.
This cr** is beyond the joke

[eri]

they will feel more empowered to ask for more conditions

if they are on their own ground

there is a time for pandering to the left

and that's when there is excess fat in the system for luxuries

the greatest recession, since the depression

is not the right time

people and departments need to work toward common goals

of getting the system healthy enough to once again afford the luxuries

not fighting to keep their share at the expense of developments that will benefit all

[speights boy]

^ Was that you in the back row of the Orewa Rotary Club on 27th Jan 04 ?

[Shalodge]

Darn it .. I though the fake moustache was enough! .. Seriously .. you guys and girls keep asking why rates keep going up and the cost of Consents is climbing .. well now you know! Its not just confined to maori either .. self interest groups, and idealism all contribute, it's just that Maori have it enshrined in law.

BTW Support on an anonymous forum is one thing but when the angry mob advances who will stand beside me then? There is reason why the majority are called 'silent' .. they are!