Letters: For Rotorua council, empathy first, business nous last

People have guts to put their hands up for council, says a reader. Photo / File

It is my opinion that any person who decides to stand for our council deserves congratulations, at least they have the courage to put their hand up and accept public scrutiny.

I disagree with J Robertson(Letters, August 31) when he says "it is important to know if these candidates have any business acumen".

My list of acumens for a candidate would have business experience well down the list. I prefer to see a demonstration of empathy for people, the ability to recognise the social needs of all sectors of our community, and the ability to see what is needed to help our city stay a good place to live in.

The business viewpoint of profit and loss would come near last.

(Abridged)
John Pakes
Ngongotahā

Think about it

Do you have a warm dry house? Do you have a family living with you or near to you?

Do you have a steady income which provided heating, food and a nice place to live?

Do you enjoy eating out, driving in the countryside, fishing, hunting, travelling to foreign countries or watching TV, listening to the radio, sitting on your lawn on a hot summer day-with perhaps a cool drink?

Do you go to the cinema now and then, or a concert?

When did you last buy a new coat, jacket, short or trousers- last week?

Do you enjoy a coffee mid morning - or a quick sandwich before you go to bed?

Well, that person you walked past the other day, the one you sneered down at in the shop doorway - has none of these, they are homeless.

Maybe not even their fault. Think about it.

Jim Adams
Rotorua

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