The fence is a boundary with a neighbouring property — an example of how neighbours can co-operate to create something of mutual benefit.

Last year, candidate Christopher Ruthe said:

External lawyers fees should be no more than $75,000. KCDC has its own lawyer [Tim Power] in a $250,000 to $300,000 pay range. Yet in the last 3 years it has spent $1.69 million on external legal fees. Most of this has gone on fighting losing legal battles. Rather than listen to the ratepayers, this Council has run off time after time to get out of town lawyers to tell them what to do. All the cases I know about, KCDC lost.

Well, here’s another as decided in the Environment Court two weeks ago.  How much Ratepayers money did Mr Dougherty waste on this?  And what will the award for costs to Coastal Ratepayers United be? We’ll report when we find out.

The Greater Wellington Regional Council has mapped this for the whole region here

You may think that’s been put to the test often in the past year, but presumably this is the risk of monsoon proportions. Some streets in Waikanae are what you’d expect, others are a bit of a surprise.

A couple of photos from his Facebook page.  Admittedly, two of the more intriguing — there are also ones showing more ‘conventional’ attire!  He gets around in a 1977 Chevrolet Caprice, which is cause for admiration alone  🙂

… to the general election.  While most bloggers make their political leanings fairly clear, we intend to stay as neutral as possible and comment on an issue by issue basis, in regards to those that are particularly relevant in Waikanae.  In fact, there are aspects of all the main party platforms we like; and which we don’t.

As in the council elections, we encourage participation in democracy by taking interest in what is being said, considering how it affects you; and by voting.

While the Mayor can do this with the Deputy Mayor, it’s not so easy to get rid of a CE, as there is a contract involved.  There are sure to be provisions for dismissal for serious wrongdoing and if he was convicted of an offence involving the operation of the council, that would be sufficient grounds.  Regardless, the petition will send a clear message to not only Mr Clapperton, but his counterparts in other councils that if they behave like this, the people who they are supposed to be serving are not going to tolerate it.

Horowhenua has hit the news recently with monitoring & blacklisting of emails by the CE of the District Council. This is a sign of the ever growing corruption within district councils NZ wide…

via Petition for the instant removal of the CEO and deputy mayor of HDC — Rangitikei Enviromental Health Watch

These are set out in the Local Government Act, which along with the Resource Management Act are the two cornerstones of local government in NZ.

This is particularly pertinent at present because of the stoush in Horowhenua between the Mayor and the CE (and most of the councilors).  There is no such conflict in Kapiti where Mayor Guru is totally subservient to unelected council boss Mr Dougherty.

Section 42 says that the CE is responsible for employing staff, but this is qualified: “in accordance with any remuneration and employment policy”.  Clearly there isn’t one in Kapiti and there urgently needs to be.   Is the present council simply going to let Mr Dougherty continue to have carte blanche in this?  Unfortunately, we expect so.

On a related issue, why was the corporist term “Chief Executive” of councils adopted not so long ago?  Councils are not businesses (and if the KCDC was, it would quickly go bust). In America they are usually called the “Chief Administrative Officer” which is a more appropriate term.

According to this stuff report, a collision of a car and a bus which killed the car’s driver.  The pic shows the southbound Ewy on-ramp on the left.

With the huge Maypole company development underway nearby, traffic congestion here is going to get much worse.

One thing which can be said for the KCDC is that it is keen on protecting trees, particularly native ones.  Here’s another example of trees being in the way of property developers’ plans.

Last week we took a trip to Bunnings in Alexandria. I had been told that street trees had been removed in Gardeners Road, so was on the lookout. I am never prepared for what I see. Yes, I know that trees will be gone, but to actually see the barrenness

via More tree loss — SAVING OUR TREES – Marrickville municipality

Today in the Porirua court, David’s barrister Mike Antunovic asked for the allegation of Council boss Dougherty (via his accomplice on his staff) to be decided in a jury trail and in Wellington, which was granted.  A jury trial is normally better for a defendant when available as it removes the risk of cronyism if a judge decides things alone.  Unfortunately, it also means a delay of a year or more as there is a significant waiting list for jury trials.

In the meantime, Antunovic will ask for Dougherty’s requested bail conditions that were granted in May, including David’s ban from the KCDC building and therefore council meetings, to be revoked, the hearing for which will be in September in Wellington.

Once Dougherty’s allegation has been disposed of, it will be his turn in the dock instead, as David tells us he intends to prosecute the council.