Mayoral Statements/Stance
The Mayor made a statement that was somewhat disingenuous at Tim MacIndoe’s meeting Fri 16th Feb 18.
“Everyone’s property has doubled in value over the last 5 years”.
He was asked via e-mail what was the relevance of that statement?
It bore no resemblance to the issue at the time i.e. rates increase and was pure prevarication. He has failed to respond.
A perusal of my own property records reveals the following for the 10 years 2007/08 – 2017/18:
2007/08 2017/18 $ Rise % Rise
CV $345,000 $485,000 = $140,000 40.58% rise in value
Rates $1105.16 $2365.31 = $1260.15 114.02% rise in rates.
Effectively the property has increased in value by less than half; however, the rates have more than doubled over 10 years.
Believe he was introducing a ‘red herring’ to throw the audience ‘off the track’ and succeeded.
What relevance has the CV of your property got to do with the services provided, it is inherently unfair. Admittedly some services are for the public good e.g. roads, however, there must be a fairer way to appropriate the cost, other than striking a rate-in-the-dollar on the Capital Value of your property each year to gain the required revenue and disproportionately spread the burden.
He stated that council was to explore operational methods of Claudelands perhaps disposal would be more beneficial. To date, Claudelands has lost $50,187,838. The A & P Association availability of use could be a condition of the sale.
He now supports a Hamilton Auckland commuter train, when during the election campaign he was vehemently opposed.
What has changed?
170 passengers per weekday subsidised by 158,500 ratepayers is grossly unfair. I may have been one of those 6 voters that got him across the line. In future, I will not support those campaigning or supporting a commuter train.
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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59.8% Yes, supporting people is important!
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25.8% No, individuals should take responsibility
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14.4% ... It is complicated
A Neighbourly Riddle! Don’t Overthink It… Or Do?😜
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!
If you multiply this number by any other number, the answer will always be the same. What number is this?
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