CommunityAction for People and Planet. P.O. Box 68, Motueka. Phone 021 174 0400 email : duncaneddy@yahoo.com
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Councillors Commended for Representation Stance
(letter to editor of Motueka/ Golden Bay News, 8 June 2006)
I'm writing to express support to those Tasman District Councillors who are resisting efforts to diminish Council representation in areas outside of Richmond. By voting to support retaining Community Boards, keeping Golden Bay's two Councillors, and preserving the Ward system, these Councillors have responded admirably to the concerns of the communities who would be adversely affected by the axing of these aspects of our local democracy.
This stand has been made in the face of efforts from within Council, and by the Local Government Commission in Wellington, to reduce the input that rural areas like Motueka and Golden Bay have in local government decision-making. These Councillors have admittedly gone out on a limb by resisting the pressure from Wellington to further diminish our say in local matters. It's really heartening to see elected representatives standing up for their communities like this.
Hopefully the communities will return the favour by writing submissions to Council supporting the preservation of the existing representation system for the 2007 local body elections.
Duncan Eddy ,
CommunityAction.