CHRISTCHURCH CITY RATE INCREASES
Having read the responses to the original post I note that not one person put their hand up to say they will stand at the next election and do a better job than the incumbents even though they criticize the present mayor and councilors. I am a harsh critic of council and don't agree with much of what they do or how they do it, but the reality is they are governed by rules, regulations and laws which often makes decision making painfully slow. Our world is being strangled by consultants and RED TAPE.
While nobody likes rate increases, the reality is most of us want and expect more and more from our councils, if we don't want a rugby stadium with a roof, others will want one for concerts and on and on it goes.
Christchurch rates are lower than many other towns and cities even though we have had far greater adversity than anyone else.
Many object to contributing to the Cathedral rebuild, but the amount they are being asked to pay is pittance, about $65 over 10 years.
My largest objection is the cycle-ways and I am certain the majority agree. The amount being spent on them and walkways is just totally ridiculous.
Council have to consult and advertise the projects they intend to carry out, but in most cases the information is so scant it is a waste of time as a lay person is unable to decipher or understand, whereas I am sure if the information was made easily available and understandable in full detailed drawings many projects wouldn't be acceptable to ratepayers.
I am sure the council would get so much more "buy in" if they detailed projects with clear drawings and descriptions and also if they put up alternative ways of doing things with cost comparisons. It is the manner which council does things in "over the top" "Rolls Royce" approaches that really gets "the backs up" of ratepayers. Another revamp of Cathedral square is a prime example.
Council also needs to take a "deep breath" and question their motive and continuance to run loss making events such as The Buskers Festival etc etc - even the "free" Concerts in the Park cost us the ratepayers a lot of money.
Many residents want more and more (additional rates) - whereas many more of us "thinking" ratepayers are wanting less and less (stable rates).
Poll: Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?
As reported in the Post, there’s a $30 million funding gap in financial mentoring. This has led to services closing and mentors stepping in unpaid just to keep helping people in need 🪙💰🪙
One proposed solution? Small levies on industries that profit from financial hardship — like banks, casinos, and similar companies.
So we want to hear what you think:
Should the government ask these industries to contribute?
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59.5% Yes, supporting people is important!
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26.2% No, individuals should take responsibility
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14.3% ... It is complicated
Brain Teaser of the Day 🧠✨ Can You Solve It? 🤔💬
Make a hearty dish. Take just half a minute. Add four parts of kestrel. Then just add one. What have you made?
(Trev from Silverdale kindly provided this head-scratcher ... thanks, Trev!)
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!
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Addictive Eaters Anonymous
After ten years of depression, my life had hit rock bottom
I remember being ‘different’ around food for most of my life. This included things such as being the person who had two cream buns at morning tea when everyone else had one; eating icing sugar by the spoonful directly from the packet; and being the family member who went into the kitchen after dinner to eat the leftovers. There are numerous other examples – too many to list. I could overeat anything. If I couldn’t get my preferred favourites (e.g. chocolate), I’d be eating the vegetables.
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