The bedrock of democracy

More letters in today's Southland Times, from people at Wednesday's 'lignite' meeting, at which, briefly and unsuccessfully, the past-chairman of Environment Southland attempted to subvert the democratic process. These 3 letters describe his failure as well as some values the letter-writers got from the occasion. The editor chose the 'bedrock' heading.

It was disappointing to hear Cr Robert Guyton being criticised for his initiative in organising a meeting to gauge the depth of feeling over Solid Energy's proposal to mine Southland's lignite. (July 7)
  I have always believed that public consultation is the bedrock of democracy and must be employed whenever controversial issues arise.
  It serves the dual purpose of clearing away misunderstandings by providing people with accurate information while also providing the decisionmakers with an insight into the feelings of the people they represent.
  This step may prove to be an inconvenience to those groups that have their own agendas but it is the process that saved the old Southland Electric Power Supply from privatisation and succeeded in retaining it as a consumer owned non-profit trust.
  Robert Guyton obviously shares this view, as well as appreciating the need to avoid breaking the conflict-of-interest protocols or showing any preference.
  In my opinion he succeeded in doing this throughout the meeting by taking a completely disinterested stance, encouraging everyone present to speak and refraining from adding any leading comments. He was there to listen and learn but not lead the discussion.
  This lignite mining issue deserves widespread public debate, because whatever decisions are made today will prove to be highly praised, or roundly condemned, by future generations.
ALAN SWALLOW
Invercargill

Collie questioned

I question Mr Collie in his chastisement of Environment Southland councillor Robert Guyton for what he says are predetermined views, and outspoken viewpoints.
  In Mr Collie's point of view, this means Mr Guyton should not be on a consent hearing committee.
  So how can Mr Collie be so sure that the other Environmnet Southland board members don't also have strong-held predetermined views?
  They may have viewpoints that are totally opposite to Mr Guyton's.
  I suggest to him that just because they are not outspoken doesn't mean they don't have strongly held political and personal biases, that are revealed in their decisionmaking with resource consents.
  Mr Collie's own political biases are well known. I ask Mr Collie, when he was in the position on Environment Southland could he honestly say he never once allowed this to affect the decisions he made or his stewardship as its chairman.
  Thankfully, with Robert Guyton, at least the community knows what he represents.
  Personally, like many at Mr Guyton's meeting, I was appreciative for his giving the public a chance to have a say on the many important environment issues which do now and will affect Southland in the future.
PAULINE MACINTOSH
Invercargill


Attacks don't work

Mr Collie (July 7) needs to stop grandstanding and accept that he is not the chairman of Environment Southland now.
  Attacks on Robert Guyton's integrity did not work at the local body elections. They do not work now.
  Mr Guyton was elected as a well-known environmental activist, just as many well-known farmers and those of other persuasions have been elected in the past.
  Guidelines around conflict of interest are quite clear. It is up to the current chairman of Environment Southland to decide if they exist and have not been declared.
  There is a reason lignite has stayed in the ground so long.; the worst, lowest-energy coal gets mined last, if at all.
  People at Wednesday's meeting wanted to talk about more than briquettes.
  They wanted to talk about why lignite to liquids might not be a good long-term answer; about environmental impacts; about what might be better in energy economics; about the fact that there are more jobs in renewables and in agriculture than in unsustainable mining.
  Fortunately, apart from Mr Collie's interruption, that was what was discussed.
  Good on Robert Guyton for organising such a meeting, and I hope it is not the last such.
LESLEY SOPER
Labour candidate, Invercargill.