I have been saying for some time that the silly season of local politics is upon us, but the real nonsense is about to begin.
Nominations opened last Friday and close August the 20th. Some, like me, who don’t like playing games, have already lodged their nomination forms. Others will play the tired old game of saying they are unsure or not going to stand only to put their nomination in near the end because they have “come under enormous pressure to do so”. Frankly if they need someone else to make up their mind for them then they should find something else to do.
But the worst part of any election year is the plethora of ugly electioneering signs that will soon desecrate our city. Some of these signs are in deplorable condition having been used in many elections. Some of them will show us what the candidate looked like 3-6-9 years ago. Some are bound to have “Say no to water meters” plastered all over them. But all of them will be ugly.
Any overseas tourist arriving in our district between August and October in election year must think we live in the scruffiest country in the world.
Why don’t we ban election boardings? Why don’t we say to candidates they must use the established media or flyers delivered to letterboxes to get their message across? As long as everyone has to abide by the same rules, no one will be disadvantaged.
And our district would be a much better looking place for residents as well as visitors.
It strikes me as a bit of an insult to say to the voters, I want you vote for me because you saw my name on a billboard. Surely the 45% of the potential voters who bother to vote think more about the issues than that.
Frankly I find electioneering tiresome and non-productive. In 2007 the Hawkes Bay Today arranged a campaign meeting at the Municipal Theatre. There were about 6 people there who weren’t brothers, sisters, mothers etc of the candidates. There were 26 of us on the stage. A question was asked and we all in turn stepped forward to give our answers. Virtually every answer was the same.
I fail to see how that helped anyone decide who they were going to vote for.
One single issue group got all candidates to answer an extensive questionnaire then endorsed their own candidates anyway.
Hopefully, this time around, there will be less of that time wasting rubbish.
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August 17th, 2010 at 7:12 pm
Well Bill, thoughtful comment as usual, but all these signs – and I have a few and even some that are 3 years old, myself – may be to some as an eyesore but too bad, it’s the face of democracy. You say that; “Any overseas tourist arriving in our district between August and October in election year must think we live in the scruffiest country in the world.” Maybe, but one of the most democratic too. Indeed, one of only eight that has had a full century of democratic government out of about 250 last count. Not something to apologise for Bill, and of the eight, incidently, five are english speaking. For most of the year many of the signs outside the gates of orchards and market gardens are very amateurish and nowhere near as professional as election hoardings. I don’t hear H B people complaining when they buy their cheap and high-quality food from these outlets. These signs are a small price to pay indeed, if its a price for the public to pay at all, for our democracy.
Cheers
Ewan Mac
September 10th, 2010 at 12:27 am
where are you Bill,? you must be back in “Gods Own”,with snippets of wisdom to share foro us confused seniour voters,with new faces for us to tick.? Real good to read former Napier detective, Rugby Coach ,with wide community development experience is stading for NCC. Your mate Tom Belford “BayBuzz” has unbouded energy, while you have been away,and should make the Regional Council.?
Dave Bosely is back from the U.K with colourful Derek Williams again stimulated by the elections, and offering advice to those who will heed his wisdom.– “over to you now Bill” share with us readers who and what stimulated you when away.– any new share tips.?