Rates, Reaction, Reform.

There is a resounding 'yes' in reaction to the Governments aggressive response to 'fixing ' local government.

I mean who doesn't want rates reduced? Who doesn't want to see red tape scissored and Councillors snuffed out?

Councils sit around doing nothing and charge the earth for doing it. All they do is have meetings and mealbreaks. Just an absolute waste of time. There was even one suggestion on X that Councils should be done away with completely.

Since the forced reforms of 1989 there has been a slow takeover of councils up and down the country. The days of the Council being a place where well to do businessmen sat around and pondered where to best spend the next ratepayers dollar have been exchanged for a mish mash makeup of all and sundry.

A great place to find a seat for outspoken shallow thinking residents who   have been looking for a niche to slot in to. A place to earn a dollar where other options are too hard.

There used to be those arguing for councillors to be only elected by ratepayers. Could that be right? 

Goodness knows how many elected Councillors are sitting around polished tables now and have never paid rates in their life.I know I know they probably pay via rent. But is that the same?

Not only has there been a takeover of the decision makers but also the insidious creep has slipped through every nook and cranny in Council buildings that have grown with the creep and exploded with a bloated bureaucracy that has an answer for every ratepayer   moan and groan.

Exorbitant union forced salaries have secretly lifted the public servant from approachable , helpful ,suit attired  nine to fiver , to a highly qualified know all , that looks down his nose at ratepayers and scoffs at the idea that they may question a professional.

The staff are no longer servants .They live in another world where the local Government Act and the Resource Management Act reign  supreme.

So what has happened? 

Politicians love to pass legislation in the local government lane and down the track point the finger at the expanding power  and excess red tape that results.

Politicians don't understand local government yet many chase a Council seat on being turfed from there Wellington job.

For years the Hawkes Bay region was attacked by parties that wanted to amalgamate councils and make things more efficient .Get rid of CEO's and save money.

The attempts were thwarted .

Now we face another confrontation .Central Government has some bullies that think they know best and they will force ratepayers in to submission whether they like it or not.

Compulsion is undemocratic.