Every fortnight Hamilton News editor Danielle Nicholson and Classic Hits breakfast host Mark Bunting give their take on local issues and goings-on.

From: Danielle Nicholson [danielle.nicholson@apn.co.nz]
Sent: 22 February 2014 20:15
To: Mark Bunting
Subject: Move over Julie?

Hey you!

We took a few pics at the legal highs policy hearings this week ... held in the council chamber ... Ange was sitting in Julie's mayoral seat since she chairs Strategy & Policy committee ... thought she rather suited sitting in the hot seat!! O'Leary for Mayor in 2016?! ;-)

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Dani

From: Mark Bunting [Mark@classichits.co.nz]
Sent: Sunday, 23 February 2014 1:18 p.m.
To: Danielle Nicholson
Subject: RE: Move over Julie?

Hey Dani,

Interesting concept, although to be fair I'd have to say Ange looks good sitting in any seat.

Cosmetics aside, I reckon she's done a great job of getting things done without hacking people off - Frankton Markets, webcams in meetings, the legal highs bill. She gets on well with left and right. "Angela O'Mayory" you reckon? Could be worth a watch.

Just wish they'd man up, stare down the Government and declare Hamilton free of those bloody legal highs. It's the right time to stare them down - election year. History shows where Hamilton votes the country votes.

Reckon HCC have got the balls to take the Government on?

MB

From: Danielle Nicholson
Sent: 23 February 2014 14:22
To: Mark Bunting
Subject: RE: Move over Julie?

I'd love to think they had the cajones, but I reckon council's number crunchers would advise against it because of the threat of legal challenges from the creeps who peddle that crap. Could cost the city a small fortune. Legal highs manufacturers are rolling in dough - they'd think nothing of throwing a law suit at us.

But you're right - it's the perfect time to show the Government what this city is made of ... and who better than Mayor Julie and her sidekick Ange to stand up for our city! Goodness knows it's about time - have you seen the state of the CBD lately!? It's a bloody disgrace, particularly up that north end of Victoria St.

... If only the bean counters would give the nod to taking on a legal battle.

D

From: Mark Bunting
Sent: Sunday, 23 February 2014 4:14 p.m.
To: Danielle Nicholson
Subject: RE: Move over Julie?

CBD = Can Buy Drugs.

CBD = Council's Bloody Disgrace.

CBD = Covered By Derelicts.

Such a shame.

I would LOVE to see the council take on the Government. I would pay money to see Julie stick up for the city. Oh hang on ... I do.

She needs to be in there lobbying for more police on the streets and a law change to move the synthetic rack either out of the city limits or just online. As for the bean counters - they oughta be spending their time working out which is more expensive - subsidising more cops or that petting zoo for the homeless they're talking about by the Riff Raff statue.

Had an email suggestion from a listener on Friday who reckoned that if they do have to make it legal in town they should put it straight across the road from the police station.

From: Danielle Nicholson
Sent: 24 February 2014 09:40
To: Mark Bunting
Subject: RE: Move over Julie?

You'd think our local MPs would have jumped on the lobbying bandwagon too. It's high (pun intended!) time the likes of Bennett, Macindoe and Moroney threw some weight at this. You can bet that if any of their offices were located in the north end of the main street or near the Riff Raff statue, surrounded by the homeless and hopeless smoking fake pot and bludging money from passersby that they'd make a song and dance about it. Other than the occasional letter from them in the paper, what support have they offered council?!

The new Psychoactive Substances Act will give the Ministry of (Stealth) Health more control and be able to regulate the industry better, the Government said. Bollocks! The issues this city is facing have grown exponentially since the Act was passed. I'm with that listener: pack the scumbag retailers off to the south end to do business across from the cop shop!

Grrrr!! I think I feel a coffee coming on ... See you soon?

From: Mark Bunting
Sent: Monday, 24 February 2014 11:36 a.m.
To: Danielle Nicholson
Subject: RE: Move over Julie?

Love to. Your shout. Not Ham East this time, Ok?!