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Thursday, November 8, 2012

Brownie's letter


Brownie McDonald wrote to the editor of the Southland Times (Nov 8), saying:

"Your story about Environment Southland's failed prosecutions goes to show you what a mob we have running this council - something I have known for the past 10 or 12 years.
  So I say to the commonsense people of Southland now is the chance to stick it up these dogtuckers, and get in support of the likes of Euan Shearing and Wayne Hill and others who have been so poorly treated by a corrupt environment council.
  Those involved in bringing these prosecutions should be sacked immediately and come out and face the public instead of hiding behind council doors.
  If the chairwoman and the chief executive have not got the guts to sack these perpetrators, then the Government should step in and sack the whole council, then install people with plenty of commonsense, instead of dropkicks trying to justify themselves a job.
Abridged - Editor"

I wonder what was pruned off Mr McDonald's letter?
Not really one for democracy, is he!

21 comments:

Suz said...

"stick it up these dogtuckers"

Ouch!

robertguyton said...

A gentleman and a scholar, that Brownie!

Paranormal said...

"not one for democracy"

If that's what you call local and regional councils' behaviour then I fear for democracy.

robertguyton said...

Democracy is what I call the system where people vote for their representatives, at a local level, rather than an incumbent Central Government appointing governors.
I'm a believer in local people choosing their representatives - one vote, one person.
A supporter of the situation with Ecan, are you, Para?

Paranormal said...

So it would follow then that the councils would follow the lead of the peoples representatives and do what was in the best interests of the people? Is that what you see occuring in ES then?

Frankly there's a number of councils (local and regional) that could do with replacement by a commissioner to bring them back into line. From the outside it looks as if ES could well be another one.

robertguyton said...

Para:
"So it would follow then that the councils would follow the lead of the peoples representatives and do what was in the best interests of the people? Is that what you see occuring in ES then?"

Of course I do. Mind you, I as earlier a strong critic of the council - now that I'm on it, I've done all that I can to make it representative of the wider community and more fair for that.

"Frankly there's a number of councils (local and regional) that could do with replacement by a commissioner to bring them back into line."
I wonder if you have the expertise to claim that, para. It's your opinion and of course you are entitled to that, but your view of ES is wildly off and it's reasonable to assume that you are wrong about other councils as well.
"From the outside it looks as if ES could well be another one."
As you say, you are outside and far away from the details of the issues. I can assure you, take it from me, trust me, you are wrong.
:-)

Anonymous said...

Oh my....
You claim to be a solutions based Councillor Robert. There has been some public outcry lately. You have discounted a commissioner. What other solutions might you have to this issue? Will crossing your fingers that these feelings represent the minority work?
Mr E

robertguyton said...

Oh my....
You sound startled - in an old-fashioned sort of way :-)

You claim to be a solutions based Councillor Robert.
Okay...
There has been some public outcry lately.
Some. Not much. Coming from just one quarter.
You have discounted a commissioner.
A commissioner hasn't be proposed, save by one over-heated soul. His thought hardly needs 'discounting'. Dismissing off-hand, perhaps :-)
What other solutions might you have to this issue?
Which issue? The claims of a letter-to-the-editor-writer? A letter in response would be a good solution, I reckon!
Will crossing your fingers that these feelings represent the minority work?
I can't understand this sentence at all, Mr E. Perhaps you'd re-submit it, using different words.
Mr E
Robert

robertguyton said...

Will crossing your fingers that these feelings (Brownies?) represent the minority, work?

I see what you mean. I'm not doing that, so can't answer the question, which seems a little purile, if you don't mind my saying.

Anonymous said...

Did I say you were crossing fingers? I think not. I asked if it was a solution.
Writing a letter to the editor seems like a much much better idea. Your past letters have made such a good job of repairing damaged relationships.
Mr E

Paranormal said...

Yes I have the knowledge to make the claim I do without the conflict of being an insider. In a number of cases both the Auditor General and Minister of Local Government have been provided with documentary evidence to back up my claim. I did say that my view of ES was from what we see in the public domain.

All we have though is your word, which I accept, that things are sweet within ES. Are you sufficiently comfortable you are across all areas to make that claim? Another rhetorical question for you. I am not doubting your sincerity - it's just the evidence pointing to a culture of wrongdoing is pretty strong. My experience is more often than not these things are brought about through cultural or systemic flaws within the organisation.

robertguyton said...

Are you seriously asking if finger-crossing might be a solution?
You're playing with me, Mr E!
I have written and posted a letter to the editor, you'll be pleased to hear, however I have to own that my intention is not now, nor has been in the past, to repair damaged relationships. I'm more an 'alert the people to troublesome issues' kind of writer.

robertguyton said...

Para - what you see in the public domain at the moment might be giving you an unbalanced view, I would suggest.
The 'evidence' you refer to is before a court, along with evidence you haven't heard, I'm betting. They'll decide on that. You are making assumptions, which is most unlike you and not very rigorous for someone who likes to argue intelligently, if I may say so. Perhaps you'll do as I am doing, and reserve your judgement til the court has made its decision.

Anonymous said...

I will keep my eyes peeled for your letter. If it is a letter pointing out "troublesome issues" is this solution finding?

I suspect Mr McDonald is reacting to what media has portrayed and it is hard to criticise him for that. Like you claim yourself to be, I suspect Mr McDonald is solutions based and is reacting to a pile of evidence delivered by the media. Just this morning, a well known political figure was making all sorts of allegations after a media report. I think it is fair to say it can be hard not to react to what is seen in the media. But I am sure your letter will reflect/acknowledge these things with elegance.
Mr E

robertguyton said...

In my letter, I discuss democracy and the attack Brownie has made on it. I like democracy. I don't suggest a 'solution' to his misplaced call for the over-turning of democracy, but have left (I hope) readers to make up their own minds about its value.
The 'pile of evidence delivered by the media' you mention - I'm surprised someone as long in the tooth as you would regard material from the media as 'evidence'. Do you change your position that quickly?
I trust that my letter will be regarded as 'elegant'. I certainly tried to knock the rough edges off it before hitting 'send'.

Anonymous said...

Sure its is evidence. I would not read it if I didnt think at least some of it was factual.
Bit like climate science Robert, eventually there is enough for the balance of evidence to be accepted. I suspect Mr McDonald has reacted to the balance of evidence, like I guess many others are also.

Part of democracy is accountability. Something Mr McDonald has the right to request. Even if I disagree with his delivery, timing and location of demands. As he is part of the democratic system he has the right to challenge it's delivery. Democracy Robert. Aint it Beaut.
Mr E

robertguyton said...

I too enjoyed Brownie's letter very much and applaud him for having his say.

"Sure its is evidence. I would not read it if I didnt think at least some of it was factual."

Which bits do you believe to be factual?
(No evading the question, Mr E - integrity, honesty, open communication and all that. You have no 'Big Sister', do you Mr E?)

Anonymous said...

Quite demanding aren't ya? I sense an element of glee and my wise long tooth tells me you know more than you are letting on... But I will bite and tell you what I believe to be true.
Mr Shearing has claimed es has changed documents after the police filled them out. He has been on the Campbell show and in the Southland times and in court. A lawyer has been critical of the council as has the road transport forum. They all appear to be facts but hey this is no court of law. Anything else I can help with?

robertguyton said...

I appreciate your help, Mr E.
Appearances aren't everything, as you know, and stories half-told can end in unexpected ways.

Shane Pleasance said...

You people applaud democracy as if it is some sort of panacea.

robertguyton said...

It is some sort of panacea, Shane.