Hastings
“The Fruitbowl of New Zealand”
Has to be.
Has to be.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Development Levy
Was informed of a ratepayer on the Plains that erected a secondary dwelling on a decent size piece of land and went through the whole expensive process.
Was rewarded as a final gesture with a bill for $6000 for Hastings District Council development levy.
This has been slipped through without notice and it is disgusting that it applies in this situation.
No wonder ratepayers get mad.
Was rewarded as a final gesture with a bill for $6000 for Hastings District Council development levy.
This has been slipped through without notice and it is disgusting that it applies in this situation.
No wonder ratepayers get mad.
Honey Pot Council
Meerkat had a wonderful discussion with the Chairman of the HBRC.Wonderful because it was good to know it is still possible to have a person in control who knows where money comes from.
The never-ending queue to this council made up of all and sundry who want a handout ,may become shorter with the recognition that ratepayers money is not there for social purposes.
The HBRC must be strong in its resolve to involve itself in environmental activities first, second and third.
The Local Government Legislation that diverts some councillors from the core focus does not say that the council HAS to launch into spending in areas that are clearly the responsibility of TLA’s.
Ratepayers need to be wary of empire builders this term.
The never-ending queue to this council made up of all and sundry who want a handout ,may become shorter with the recognition that ratepayers money is not there for social purposes.
The HBRC must be strong in its resolve to involve itself in environmental activities first, second and third.
The Local Government Legislation that diverts some councillors from the core focus does not say that the council HAS to launch into spending in areas that are clearly the responsibility of TLA’s.
Ratepayers need to be wary of empire builders this term.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Health Situation
While not a council issue Meerkat coudn’t help but comment on the current situation regarding HB people with heart problems and the Wellington connection.
I have had the privilege of discussing at length the experiences of a local person who was taken to Wellington for heart surgery last year.
What is happening is shocking and there needs to be urgent changes to the way patients are dealt with.
The person I spoke to also related to poor communication between doctors and patients and rough treatment,lack of concern.
To those that have been lost I feel so sorry as families have lost loved ones unnecessarily.
By goodness there better be some work going on behind those health board doors.
I have had the privilege of discussing at length the experiences of a local person who was taken to Wellington for heart surgery last year.
What is happening is shocking and there needs to be urgent changes to the way patients are dealt with.
The person I spoke to also related to poor communication between doctors and patients and rough treatment,lack of concern.
To those that have been lost I feel so sorry as families have lost loved ones unnecessarily.
By goodness there better be some work going on behind those health board doors.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Freethinking or Not ?
Councils are always prone to groups and individuals that are forever disatisfied with decisions that are made and while sometimes councils get it wrong it is to be hoped councillors have access to enough information to make informed decisions.
At times annual plans and other consultative documents result in photocopied submissions from a bevy of ratepayers who feel there is safety in numbers and a wad of papers singing the same submission will carry a huge weight in the decision making process.
There is far greater respect attributed to those who put in the ground work and provide their own interpretation on an issue.
It is disapointing to see websites providing a ready made letter for people to click off to those considered important demanding a solution be found to a problem.
Politicians must get driven out of their tree opening these emails and would soon be ready to delete this deliterious crap that wastes time.
Do the homework and be thoughtful and constructive.
Be freethinking and don’t be led by the nose.
At times annual plans and other consultative documents result in photocopied submissions from a bevy of ratepayers who feel there is safety in numbers and a wad of papers singing the same submission will carry a huge weight in the decision making process.
There is far greater respect attributed to those who put in the ground work and provide their own interpretation on an issue.
It is disapointing to see websites providing a ready made letter for people to click off to those considered important demanding a solution be found to a problem.
Politicians must get driven out of their tree opening these emails and would soon be ready to delete this deliterious crap that wastes time.
Do the homework and be thoughtful and constructive.
Be freethinking and don’t be led by the nose.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
State of Environment Report
There is wide media coverage of the State of the Environment Report 2007 .Perhaps relevant to Hawkes Bay and particularly Hastings District is a comment by MfE Hugh Logan “Our everyday activities and choices-both past and present- have put pressures on our soil water and air and other natural resources.”
The Environment Minister Trevor Mallard says that the primary production sector is”the bread ,butter and jam of our economy.”
The report also says that urban growth and lifestyle sub-division is putting increasing pressure on soils of high value(versatile soils).
When will the decision makers see the folly of recent decisions made on consents issued in and around Hastings and see that hard decisions have to be made ………now!
The Environment Minister Trevor Mallard says that the primary production sector is”the bread ,butter and jam of our economy.”
The report also says that urban growth and lifestyle sub-division is putting increasing pressure on soils of high value(versatile soils).
When will the decision makers see the folly of recent decisions made on consents issued in and around Hastings and see that hard decisions have to be made ………now!
New CEO
Hastings District Council has a new CEO sitting in the chair from today.
It is to be hoped that he can present a fresh look for the council and be open about the real state of HDC.
From the rumours floating around about the financial state of the authority he has a big headache to overcome.
There needs to be some major changes in this council and we will watch with interest over the next couple of months to see if he has been independent thinking or subtlely influenced.
It is to be hoped that he can present a fresh look for the council and be open about the real state of HDC.
From the rumours floating around about the financial state of the authority he has a big headache to overcome.
There needs to be some major changes in this council and we will watch with interest over the next couple of months to see if he has been independent thinking or subtlely influenced.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Obvious Name
The fact that HDC has employed consultants to find a new brand for Hastings is bad enough but this clambering to be like everyone else with a catchy logo and statement is unnecessary when it is all patently obvious that the original phrase worked so well and is still identified by so many throughout New Zealand.
It is outrageous that because the fruitgrowing sector is not as sexy anymore Hastings is doing all it can to distance itself from that which has provided it with economic impetus and underpinned the district for so many years.
The fact is it still is.HDC takes so much from the primary sector but has little respect for its importance.
The answer for Hastings is to be proud of its history and its dominating economic force and to revisit , relaunch,and re-emphasise Hastings as the Fruitbowl of New Zealand.
Its not just wine that makes things tick but the wealth of all the produce in this region.Face up to it ,be proud and do it!!!!
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
HDC Misleading Ratepayers
Meerkat has recently been informed from two sources that all is not well with the financial situation at Hastings District Council.
With all the big projects in the wind and a large debt to start with it is quite believable.The trouble is it is getting too hard for the man in the street to see just what is going on with the council accounts.Maybe we need an independent accountant to decipher the accountsfor the ratepayer.
Meerkat has also been informed that the special dividend of $2.2 million given to the HDC by the Regional Council to put toward the sewage upgrade or improved sewage treatment,has been spent elsewhere to help balance the books.
This is an appalling situation as this money was specifically tagged and if HDC has done what has been suggested it is a shocking state of affairs.
It is to be hoped that the new CEO can sort this council out……………and quickly.
With all the big projects in the wind and a large debt to start with it is quite believable.The trouble is it is getting too hard for the man in the street to see just what is going on with the council accounts.Maybe we need an independent accountant to decipher the accountsfor the ratepayer.
Meerkat has also been informed that the special dividend of $2.2 million given to the HDC by the Regional Council to put toward the sewage upgrade or improved sewage treatment,has been spent elsewhere to help balance the books.
This is an appalling situation as this money was specifically tagged and if HDC has done what has been suggested it is a shocking state of affairs.
It is to be hoped that the new CEO can sort this council out……………and quickly.
