Rise above pettiness, mayor urges
PAUL GORMAN
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Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker last night called for unity from his divided council, saying if they couldn't find a way to sort their differences it was likely more councillors might resign by the end of the year.
Parker said he had not spent much time yesterday talking to Cr Sue Wells about her contentious comments.
However, he wanted to look "beyond them" and get Local Government Minister Nick Smith to talk to members at a special meeting on Friday about what the Government expected from the council.
He did not yet know if Smith was available on Friday.
Parker said it was important for Christchurch residents to realise councillors had also had to deal with "much stress in their personal lives" in the aftermath of the September 2010 and February 2011 earthquakes.
"But they volunteered to do it, and receive the financial benefits of working on behalf of the city.
"Now they have to earn their money and be bigger than the petty nonsense that is dividing us.
"I want everyone to work out how we can put our differences aside and work together and focus on the rebuilding of our city, focus on how to put aside this divisive garbage, this non-stop cycle of criticism through the media of the CEO [Tony Marryatt] or each other or whatever it is.
"If it carries on the way it is now, we will see people walk," Parker said.
"I believe there won't be as many councillors at the end of the year as we have now."
The minister had made it clear he was "happy with the performance of this council", he said.
"He has no intention, absolutely no intention, of putting in commissioners to replace councillors," Parker said.
"He was very supportive of the work that Mr Marryatt has done for the city.
"What he essentially did was make it really clear that the onus of responsibility falls squarely on the shoulders of the elected members to sort themselves out.
"He wanted all of us to reflect on that on what is essentially our hour of greatest need."
Parker wanted councillors to hear Smith's expectations of them at Friday's informal meeting and planned to ask all councillors "to dedicate ourselves to the reasons why we are here, to put the city first".
Smith said last night he would be "keen" to be at the meeting if it would help the council "resolve its issues".
"The council is obviously having a difficult time and I'm concerned about the tension that exists around the council table at such a critical time in the history of Christchurch."
- © Fairfax NZ News
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If a city councillor can’t see why getting a pay rise in such circumstances is going down like a cup of cold sick then they don’t have the intelligence and empathy to guide the city in such an important time. If their boss doesn’t realise the same applies.
Who cares what method was used? Who cares how much extra work has been done? Who cares about the excuses?
People’s lives have been destroyed, the city’s economy is holding on by a thread, and the decisions being made now will shape future generations. If you had half a brain you would either refuse the rise, or immediately donate it to a city charity before the controversy erupted. It’s very very simple. You’d almost think they were an Italian cruise ship captain.
Some councillors have a cheek talking about 'democracy' as if they think it takes place in practice behind closed doors - without consulting the ratepayers who democratically elected them to make decisions on the behalf of the people. NOT to turn opportunities to rebuild a city into career opportunities for themselves and their mates. You don't need to spend thousands behind closed doors to work out your inability to communicate with those on the other side do you? ...surely?
Wells has no choice but to resign after her comments yesterday. Let's hope she's not the only one to go!
Get Out And Show yourselves on the 1ST.or be happy with the situation.
Too late Bob so you misjudged the increase for your mate, others in your position would have been fired. Your words sound good but there is little to be seen of where our money is going, and putting our homes together.You said we would all see a copy of the city plan and the best way would be through o9ur news papers but NO on the internet so as not easily read.Very similar to 'private meetings' so we get to hear only what you want. YOUR ceo Marryatt @ yourself need to do the proper thing and RESIGN.
Petty? I don't call 68k petty!
Suw Wells, Resign NOW!!!
the people are outraged with how this council has been run and bob calls it "pettyness". wow.. does this guy ever stop digging his own hole? tell us what you really think about us bob. these is just abother slap in the face of the people by a major who has lost touch of reality. do you want to know what the occupy protests are about?? well here it is.
Please Mr Parker...RESIGN NOW!
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The mayor doesn't get it, does he? It is not the job of councillors to all pull together; their job is to represent their various constituencies, and that is what they are doing. Clearly there is a large group of citizens which thinks the mayor and his supporters are doing a poor job, so good on those councillors who refuse to kowtow to the executive and point out their manifold deficiencies.