Continuing to defy will of ratepayers

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Opinion

I find it hard to understand how this council and our councillors continue to defy the will of the ratepayers as they merrily go about the business of seeking re-election.

The list of defiance continues to grow. Each day contributors to this paper draw attention to council shortcomings, to no effect whatsoever.

Some councillors’ heads are buried in the sands of political correctness and cultural compliance.

Where are the Endeavour models? The Crook Cook statue? Why are the members of the town’s biggest club being so badly treated? Why is council debt being allowed to spiral out of control? Why has the wastewater problem not been fixed yet? Why are some projects taking preference over pressing, core council business? The list is endless.

It’s all very nice putting up posters with trendy slogans, smiling faces and false promises, what we need is a council that not only listens to ratepayers but carries out their wishes.

How can electors believe a candidate’s commitment to anything when they haven’t the courage to go for one position, preferring to take a bob each way on two or three positions?

I admire those who have put their name up for only mayor, the council or the health board and not any permutation of these three.

Open, honest, local government by councillors who are committed to fixing Gisborne’s problems is what this election is all about.

Keith Watts