PENSIONER FLAT SALES, SERVICE CENTRE CLOSURE, SPENDING PLANS - ALL UNDER FIRE
The Beacon reports, Friday, 12 June 2009
WHEN Whakatane ratepayers marched in protest yesterday, their placards said it all. “Rate rises cripple fixed income earners”, “stop the sale of our assets” and “kaumatua are our treasures, our taonga – homes for them first” were among the issues they quietly raised as they walked through the centre of Whakatane to congregate outside the Whakatane District Council.
The march, organised by Grey Power and joined by advocacy group Every Voice Counts was led by Anglican vicar Robert Bruere, and brought together young and old, Maori and pakeha. They came from as far away as Murupara to protest issues as diverse as the proposed sales of pensioner flats and other council property to Town Vision plans for a multimillion-dollar arts and culture centre. The subdued march, which brought toots of support but hardly stopped traffic, culminated with protesters calling on the council to take another look at its 10-year plan and focus more on the people of the district.
Mayor Colin Holmes was absent, but deputy mayor Graeme Hanlen and councillors Ian Shearer, Scott Jarrett, Rachael Byrne, Tony Bonne and George Johnston were at Mahy Court to meet the protesters. Mr Holmes had earlier been presented with a 4000-signature Grey Power petition opposing various council plans, including the sale of any land and amenities and the moving of the library into the museum.
Speaking at Mahy Court, protester Peter McRae said the council was penalising those in the community who were less able to care for themselves – and that was not acceptable. The arts and culture centre was “too grandiose” and the council should not be deferring other essential works to spend $10.4 million on it. Nor should it have spent $1 million on a bare piece of land in Pyne Street for a future carpark. When so much other work was being deferred this was premature and lacked foresight, he said.
Grey Power secretary Hannah George drew comparisons with the famous English folklore character Robin Hood, saying the council’s substantial rate rises were robbing the poor to pay for inappropriate and indulgent ambitions. She said spending millions on an arts and culture centre was a monumental insult to the large percentage of the population that could not afford to pay for it.
Wearing a placard saying “people, not monuments”, Mr Bruere said only when the power of love overcame the love of power would there be peace. Those at the centre of power would sometimes forget about the people at the edges, he said.
Grey Power president William Simpson said the march – which attracted more than 200 people – was very serious to all involved. Furthermore, it was only the beginning and would be followed up with further meetings.
Deputy mayor Graeme Hanlen said he was pleased to see such a large turnout of people when it had been difficult to engage the community on issues in the past. He assured them the councillors were listening, taking note of what was being said, and would make their judgments accordingly. He explained the contentious arts and culture centre was not taking funds that could be used elsewhere. In fact it would end up costing the community less a year than the existing library and museum and gallery. He further explained the financial and legislative constraints the council had to work within. “We do try to balance these things and the councillors have worked extremely hard over the last six months or more. Trying to put a plan together has not been easy.” He denied criticism the document was “a rehash”, saying it had been completely rewritten.
His assurances drew comments of “I don’t believe you” from some quarters and did not stop people gathering about a rubbish bin to “Can the Plan” – ripping the long term plan apart page by page and trashing it.
The EVERY VOICE COUNTS group has been formed to push for responsive transparent and accountable local government. It is due to meet on June 23 and July 15 at the Disabilities Resource Centre at 5.15pm.
