Over the past 40 years I’ve been involved in a large number of community activities here in the Bay. From sports clubs, service clubs, cultural groups, to business and political organisations, I have been involved in all aspects of our community. And never before have I been involved in any project or campaign where there has been so much dishonesty as there is in the Better Hawkes Bay campaign.
Those running the Better HB campaign simply have no conscience. They promote erroneous figures and when proven to be wrong, refuse to retract them or to issue an apology. They promote half-truths and untruths with reckless abandon. And now Regional Councillor Neil Kirton has joined the fray, publishing material he knows is wrong in fact.
Let me quote from Kirton’s article published in a HB Regional Council publication and subsequently in the Napier Mail.
“The Regional Council has agreed to contribute $40,000 for an independent study into the role of local government in the region. The study will include looking at the way our councils are structured with the possibility of amalgamating councils. There has been stout resistance and opposition from various councils, most notably from Mayor Barbara Arnott and her council”.
The clear message Kirton is trying to convey is that Mayor Arnott and her councillors, oppose the undertaking of an economic study as proposed by the Regional Council.
Kirton knows that is not the case. He is being intentionally misleading and mischievous.
The facts are clear and well known to Kirton.
Lawrence Yule approached the Napier City Council and asked for support for a feasibility study to be done on amalgamation. The Napier City Council refused.
The Hawkes Bay Regional council subsequently proposed that an independent study, including looking at how governance will effect our economic future, be done. Mayor Arnott immediately sent a letter of support to the Chair of the Regional Council offering the Napier City Council’s support and also funding.
These are the facts. Neil Kirton knows them and yet he choses to present a different picture.
Bloody disappointing from an elected representative.
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