T
2969 days ago

Any thoughts on the Brook Valley Community Group's Chair's (Christopher St Johanser) Latest?

Tom from The Brook

"Dear Friends,
As you know, 'they' are attempting to wind us up. Sue has just had an exchange with a debt-collector named Dave, acting under instructions from the Nelson City Council. She has responded with an email to Rachel Ennor, NCC's solicitor.
You will perhaps recall that the term fascist derives from bundles of rods, wrapped around an ax, which were carried by Roman paramilitary in order to beat and when desired, to kill the people who opposed the patricians employing them. The practice was renewed in Mussolini's Italy, and enthusiastically taken up by Hitler's romantic bully-boys, the Brownshirts.
In my youth, I was taught that the fight against fascism had been won. I had to learn that the fight is continuous. I am reminded again today that the exercise of blunt power to curb the search for justice remains fully present, and in our country too. The Nelson City Council wants to beat us with financial clubs, to wipe out our opposition, to declaim their success in silencing us to their sycophantic and deluded supporters.
What are we? A properly constituted community group seeking justice in the approved manner, now through the Courts. That this activity is in respect of a matter of public interest has been explicitly recognised by the Court of Appeal, with whom we have filed proceedings. I say again that the Court of Appeal has explicitly denied the Crown's claim that we have no case.
How have we been treated by our local authority during these last five years? As Graeme O'Brien puts it, we have been insultated throughout. Let us be clear. The Nelson City Council seeks to crush opposition to its agenda, established in pernicious secrecy. Its hench-organisation, the BWST, is mandated and determined to sequester public land irrespective of contrary opinion. Their poisonous actions have been validated (and to an unknown extent set up) by a discredited Minister who continues to wreak his malign influence as a Member of Parliament. Everything is to our credit, and nothing to theirs.
We resist. Of course we resist. We shall continue to resist because, ultimately, there is no option but to resist fascism. Fail to do so now and the political situation will deteriorate. Do we really need to rehearse anew the issues of the 1930s in the Brook Valley? Is this how it is to be, this mid-twenty-first century? Or is Jacinda to save us all?
We are making our approaches to the new government. We shall make full use of Sue Grey's outstanding skills to frustrate the wicked intentions of those who seek to curtail our civil rights, our access to justice. We, you and I, who have seen already so much together, suffered together, will not flinch at the fight."
Drama or what! The clique controlling the BVCG (whoever they are - why won't they front up?) went ahead running up bills knowing they couldn't pay and, it looks like, had no intention of paying so you and I as taxpayers will have to fork out. BTW: The BVCG makes a big thing about representing the Brook residents. Does Christopher St Johanser speak for you?

More messages from your neighbours
5 hours ago

The Summer Kiwi Quiz is back by popular demand

Summer Kiwi Quiz - 2026

Grab a copy of your local Stuff newspaper between 1 Jan - 28 Jan and participate in the Summer Kiwi Quiz! Test your knowledge, answer the daily New Zealand based questions, and find out how well you know our beautiful country!

Each correct answer will get you one entry into the draw to WIN 1 of 5 Ooni Karu 2 Portable Pizza Oven bundles, valued at $1024! Each bundle includes: an Ooni Karu 2 Multi-Fuel Portable Pizza Oven, Ooni Karu 2 Carry Cover, Ooni 12" Perforated Peel, Ooni Digital Infrared Thermometer and an Ooni Cookbook: Cooking with Ooni. The more answers you enter correctly, the higher your chance of winning. For more information and to submit your answers, click here

The Team at Stuff
Enter Here

Image
3 days ago

Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

🎉 2026 is almost here!

We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?

Image
Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
  • 10.4% Yes! New Year, New Me
    10.4% Complete
  • 19.9% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
    19.9% Complete
  • 69.7% Nah - not for me
    69.7% Complete
815 votes
16 days ago

Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Ministry of Social Development is reporting that fake information is circulating about new ‘December bonuses’ or ‘benefit increases’

If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.

Image