Day 23

I'd earlier missed the ODT opportunity, but then Melissa Crutchley popped up saying they had extended their deadline. This was my response -

How would you promote function and unity within the council chambers?

I often wondered why we have a mayor. I came to the conclusion that it is for gently providing the tone of the city. I would like to be instrumental in ensuring council business is representative of the citizens. Decisiveness is vital, strengthening our three year mandate to move forward the way we wish. Majority rules. Leadership without ideological dogma. I belong with 'All Us Moderates'. This will ensure a functional council.

What are your goals and priorities for council?

My priorities are no rate increases above inflation and getting rid of Three Waters Reform. My goals focus on harmonising, being a little leader of many little leaders (all our citizens). We also need councilors who will work for the common good. I will work against co-governance of every form, political partisan blocs, covid mandating and the attacks on SIT. I have never been a feminist; am free to pursue my goal of serving.

 

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Last night Stuff's Blair Jackson said he was putting the final touches on his article and needed one more answer.

7. Why are you running for mayoralty?

It's gotten to the point where we need a protesting mayor. I think this is the most honourable type of leadership for the south at this time in history and I believe it is representative of the Majority.

 
Does All Us Moderates include you Blair?

I could say a lot more about why I joined the mayoral race. Perhaps you'd like to share the link to my campaign diary with the public.

Thank you for getting onto your article.
I look forward to seeing how I am represented.

I ask you to understand that I did not join this race in order to complain about others. (I had already moved on from the RS disappointment.) This issue was not a part of my decision making regarding the mayoral bid.

I joined because we need servant leadership.

Three nights before, I had a call with another candidate. I went to bed thinking, 'phew', that person sounds like they have it sussed - there's no need for me to consider this inkling any further.

But, I woke up feeling the opposite. The candidate I spoke with hadn't eased my mind that they understand our vital need to lay aside all forms of co governance and partnership notions. I woke up realising that that candidate would probably just puddle around in the status quo and become cosy and unrepresentative of our citizens. It was only the gift of the gab politician talk which I had accepted when tired the previous evening.

That morning, I also had text communication with that candidate. They were not able to assure me that they understand the harm caused by covid decisions, therefore if something like this (central government overreach) occurs again, I wondered whether they might be heartless toward our citizens. This was confirmed by a terse text response to what had been a friendly exchange.

Long story short ---- I couldn't not stand!

 

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Stuff is abusing All Us Moderates. They push around a barrel of minority manure to throw at us living our lives amongst the civilised Majority.

 

Five days ago I asked Blair via text -
"Can the host of candidates expect their responses to be published soon?"

 and

"How do you and other Stuff colleagues feel about Paula Penfold's documentary?
Playing fair, Blair?"

I sent another one last night -
"I hope that Stuff's old news as promised is less abusive than all the times of refusing to share new news."

 

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Blair - would you like to join us? It's much healthier on this side of the fence.

Michael?

I remember Michael Fallow three decades ago when I was a tour guide for school groups. It was very interesting in the various departments of the old Southland Times. I used to enjoy taking my groups in to Michael's office. He would show the children his short hand notepad. I'd love to have a real talk with Michael now. Lots of water under the bridge since then. Sometimes I see him on the footpath. He seems contemplative.

 

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Stop press, I'd finally put money on my phone last night, and that's provided more public interest rant, in the morning too. It's sad to get on the plonk so soon ---

 

I have told you before, Michael Fallow, to stop calling me "ma'am"!

 

You don't know, dear reader, because you couldn't have known - that dude has never done anything with my matters of public interest before. 

 

Eventually (years ago), I told him to stop calling me that condescending term. I mean, yes, it would be fine if he treated me like a ma'am - but he never would.

Last night when all good campaigners should be tucked up, whose voice message did I happen to listen to?

His message was about Sir Tim's deciding to commit to his councilor candidacy only, plus something about someone's mayoral run being a juggernaut, and that Stuff is seeking each candidate's comment on these salients. 

 

Along with the smarmy ma'aming, Michael Fallow repeated his name as though we have never met one another, as though I might be hazy about who he is, as though I was only ever a little wee me taking groups of children upstairs and downstairs and round about - a bit like a rabbit warren - in his work place, as though I might not have ever raised a lovely family of critical thinkers nor grown myself to be ready to call bullshit on Stuffed.

 

yuck and globbers on his request for a comment

All Us Moderates have bigger fish to fry.