Eleven of the 14 elected representatives on the WDC are seeking re-election. We are astounded by the disconnect between the election promises being made by some candidates and their voting record. Actions speak louder than election waffle, so LETTERBOX has tabulated the way the mayor and councillors have voted on critical decisions.
RATES - Councillors
supporting the high-rate increases were: Couper (mayoral and Bream Bay ward
candidate), Connop (Urban ward), Peters (Urban ward), McKenzie
(Hikurangi-Coastal ward), and Harding (Maori ward).
Those opposed to the rate increases
were: Olsen (Mayoral and Urban ward candidate), Golightly (Urban ward), Reid (Mangakahia
– Maungatapere ward), and Ruka (Maori ward).
RACE-BASED PRIVILEGE - On Maori
issues, the voting record is also very clear. Those in favour of special rights
for Maori are Couper (mayoral and Bream Bay ward candidate), Connop (Urban
ward), Peters (Urban ward), McKenzie (Hikurangi-Coastal ward), Harding (Maori
ward), and Ruka (Maori ward).
Voting against race-based privilege were:
Olsen (Mayoral and Urban ward candidate), Golightly (Urban ward), Reid (Mangakahia
– Maungatapere ward), and Yovich (Urban).
On the “woke” scale, at the extreme left are: Crs Couper, Connop, McKenzie, Peters, and Harding.
On the right are councillors: Olsen, Reid, and Yovich.