This is a Joel Maxwell photo from the last meeting of the previous council in September last year. It shows council boss Mr Dougherty, a ratepayer and a policeman (centre) who Dougherty had called to remove the ratepayer because he had wanted to film his statement to the council with a video camera (visible on a tripod). The pic accompanied a Dominion Post story at the time.
Cr David Scott tells us that last Thursday on its anniversary there was a similar scene, this time involving himself. He arrived at 9:18 am in time for the public speakers’ forum at 9:25 preceding the full council session which begins at 10:00. Dougherty told doting Mayor Guru that Cr David Scott was not allowed to be there. Guru dutifully repeated the message. “Yes I am,” replied Cr David Scott.
To which Dougherty made one of his standard calls to the police station and one of their officers duly showed up who, with David Scott, Dougherty and his legal henchman Tim Power, had a ‘discussion’ in the corridor. It ended with David Scott informing this pair that he was allowed to attend the meeting and they were not going to stop him. And he did, and they didn’t.
What is wrong with Dougherty? We think this webpage provides the explanation.
He can’t leave town soon enough in our opinion. Our sympathies, Nelsonians.
Stay strong, David – justice will go in your favour. You need to represent the people, the way you were elected to do.
Pat Doherty and his lackies cannot dictate bail conditions, that is for the police and they obviously know you are entitled to be there. You were right, they were wrong, and democracy cannot be silenced by bureaucracy. Go wherever you like in Council buildings, at any time – that’s what we elected you for!