Among the comments from the “yes” voters:
' “I live in the CBD and agree it is very messy. GDC staff do a pretty good job but they could be rostered on more for cleaning. Landlords and retailers have a responsibility too.”
' “The tripping paving stones are dangerous as I have personally found out. Some of the shop frontages are not good and I would like to see a town square to bring people back into town. It could have a consolidated history of Gisborne as well as some interesting sculptures, murals, activities etc.”
' “Yes, it's a disgrace, especially opposite ANZ Bank.”
' “All very shabby, badly damaged pavers and loads of those everywhere.”
' “The palms need to go. They're really messy and damp and dangerous with the heavy palms that drop from a great height now.”
' “Definitely. I am embarrassed to say I live here when people say how untidy and grubby the CBD is.”
' “Council — stop building skate parks, walkways etc and get the city tidied up. I feel sorry for the cruise ship people having to see filthy shop windows etc.”
' “A disgrace is an understatement. It's filthy. The only things GDC seem interested in are the round flower beds. And as for Christmas, there was no Christmas feel at all in the main street. What happened to the lights and buntings that used to adorn Gladstone Road over the festive season?”
' “Us locals have been disgusted with the CBD long before ex-Cyclone Hale and to think a Wellington person pointed this all out and some solutions to the council in November. It makes it even worse that they took no action at all. Summer visitors, Christmas visitors, ship visitors, R&V visitors — all see and saw what shames us.”
' “Make landlords keep the empty buildings in acceptable condition.”
Comments from those who disagreed with the question included:
' “It's not a disgrace. This poll is insulting to all the people who work very hard on their businesses in the CBD and the council gardeners who also take pride in their work. Stop running such stupid polls with leading questions.” ' “It's not a disgrace, just needs a spring clean. It's not the council's fault or businesses that shops are closing.”
' “That's the new nature of retail across the world. People complain about the nanny state and their high taxes but then want to make council (the state of retail) and the government (lost luggage!) responsible for everything.”
' “It is a matter for the various businesses in the CBD. It is not a matter for general ratepayers who are already flogged to the max.”
' “It's not too bad. Why help absentee landlords and property investors?”
