Resignation call

Responses from the general public to "Ruby" Timms' hoax call are being taken into account by the councillors of Environment Southland and no doubt by on-holiday chairman Timms herself. This one from today's "YOUR VIEW" column of the Southland Times has it right, in my view:

Resignation call

Ali Timms should resign as chairwoman of Environment Southland immediately.
  Her deceitful action was deliberate and premeditated, and there is no place in local government for such unacceptable and dishonest behaviour.
  In 1995, when Hon John Carter, Bay of Islands MP rang a Northland radio station and pretended to be a Maori called Hone he was sacked as senior whip.
  Ms Timms behaviour has been widely reported throughout the country and featured on television.
  Environment Southland by association has been brought into disrepute.
  Environment Southland councillors as a whole have compounded the issue by agreeing to a six-week stand down, when in fact decisive action was required.
  Mayor Tim Shadbolt deserves congratulations for his dignity and composure throughout this unsavoury incident.
TERRY KING
Invercargill