Brickbats and bouquets
Congratulations and thanks to the Chronicle (and notably editor Mark Dawson) - assisted by the Chamber of Commerce and Grey Power - for putting in the work required to make the two-part candidates' forum such a success.
Despite the large field of hopefuls, Mr Dawson kept the pace
moving and posed a range of useful questions before giving the audience members a crack. Candidates' statements and responses ranged from woefully ill-prepared and ineptly delivered to well-rehearsed and perfectly timed.
What they actually said is, of course, another matter and the reception they received probably depended on what audience members wanted to hear.
The incumbents seeking another term generally were true to their form around the council table. While some have developed polished and persuasive rhetoric, others appear to have learned little during their time on council - in some cases, multiple terms - and are unable to progress beyond mumble, muddle and spin.
Then there were those who stayed away, no doubt wisely adhering to the old adage that it's better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.
But my real point is to acknowledge the Chronicle for delivering the forums in real time via the internet to people throughout the district who either were unable to attend in person, or who decided not to join the brave souls who ventured out to the Memorial Hall in such foul weather.
There appear to have been several thousand viewers following the debate from their home computers or mobile devices, with lively comments running throughout. We look forward to another livestream of the mayoral candidates on Thursday, September 15.
But while the Chron is walking the talk in the new digital age that is transforming news delivery (the week began with RNZ livestreaming its new "radio with pictures" of the Auckland mayoral debate) our district council is failing to put its money where its mouth is.
Despite all its talk about being an international digital superstar with broadband connecting residents and businesses, its own meetings are not livestreamed or archived so we must rely on necessarily truncated and sometimes inaccurate written minutes.
Any leap into the 21st century must include upgrading the meeting chamber's pathetic sound system which was left behind from the Laws years. The large turnout of residents who responded to the mayor's urging to attend the critical August 9 wastewater meeting were frustrated and angry that councillors and officers still don't appear to have come to terms with the need to ensure they not only have a microphone in front of them but actually speak into it.
The new council will have many pressing issues but until they get on top of these basic, low-cost technologies and improve communication, they will face ongoing calls for greater transparency and suspicion that they are following the mushroom principle and keeping us, their "employers", in the dark.
CAROL WEBB
Springvale
Wonder women
The candidates meeting on Wednesday night was a thoroughly entertaining session with all candidates enthusiastically promoting themselves - a few more so than the others.
Of interest was the emergence of two wonder women in Helen Craig and Jenny Duncan who, from being the two foremost protagonists of the unaffordable wastewater treatment plant a few weeks ago and the five-year 30.59 per cent rates increase it will necessitate, are now telling us they will press for just a 3 per cent (Craig) and 2-3 per cent (Duncan) increase in year 2017-18.
Strange things emerge in election campaigns - tooth fairies and all!
GRAHAM ADAMS
Springvale
Tree Travesty