Old Men contest Horizons vacancy, Council stutters, leaker revealed.

35 25th August 2018

Wheeler's Corner

'Concerning citizens who care' 

You can contact me by email at

wheeler@inspire.net.nz

1. Horizons Regional Council is holding a by-election to fill the spot left vacant by the death of Pat Kelly. Only those living in the Palmerston North Constituency get to vote and will shortly receive voting papers in the mail.

The possibilities available to voters are slim, but I went along to listen to them speak and their respective presentations followed the usual predictable pattern. First up was Gods representative Ross Barber who gave his usual diatribe telling us all how evil Horizons is: It was stupid and really hard to listen to...enough said.

Second on the block was Jack Dowds a nice enough guy who attempted to present himself as perfect for the job because he had been a local government CEO.

Third up was Jono Naylor, he was the Mayor of PN who resigned to become a National list MP, this cost rate-payers in PN thousands of dollars in a by-election, and for a while he took the Mayoral and MP salary, but alas it never lasted for he only served one term as an MP. According to him he didn’t like the confrontational behaviour in Parliament...but he stood in front of the small crowd and said how he’d make a great regional Councillor...based on his unwillingness to confront problems.

Next came Grant Seton, a nice chap who has a great habit of running for any spots on any council, regional or city, thus far he has had no success but that doesn’t stop him from trying. I enjoyed listening to him, much of what he said made sense. Next up was

Chris Teo-Sherrell now here was someone I really knew, I was on the PNCC with him between 2007 and 2010 and enjoyed working with him on various projects, I know his heart and skills and educational background related more to Horizons rather the PNCC. He has worked closely with Horizons on transport and other matters. He said he would serve no more than three terms on the PNCC and he kept his word. He stated clearly that he had planned to take a three year break and then stand for Horizons...the death of Pat Kelly simply brought it forward. Naturally Chris is my choice...and I seriously suggest that you, if are bothering to vote give him your tick. 
 

2.

US Diplomats Increasingly Telling Other Countries to Buy American Weapons

August 22, 2018 at 10:58 am

Written by Jason Ditz

Diplomatic priorities for the US can be quite complicated, and sometimes inscrutable. One constant high priority, however, is selling weapons made by America’s major arms-makers to other countries. Though private companies, they increasingly find the US diplomatic corps working as their sales team.
This represents official determination to see the US remain the world’s largest exporter of weapons. This is a foregone conclusion with or without diplomats hectoring every other country to buy American, and attending weapons shows to push US products.

Since April, there have been reports that the Trump Administration was advancing from the arms dealing being an unspoken side mission to an overt policy goal for all overseas diplomats. In practice, a lot of this means scaring nations away from buying cheaper Russian systems on the grounds that the US will be mad at them.

Yet Russia does continue to have some successful segments of the arms market, particularly the air defense systems. While military officials believe Russian sales are just going to happen sometimes, the Trump Administration has had fits when nations like Turkey, despite all the diplomatic pressure, choose to buy Russian.

3. 

The CEO and Mayor of the PNCC has still not acknowledged my email to them, of course they have twenty days to do so...and the law says they must...answer as soon as possible...but alas sometimes it seems as if they are a law unto themselves, Council’s are expected to acknowledge receipt of FOIA requests...and then follow up within the information requested. Here is a repeat of my request:

Mayor PN City Council

CEO PN City Council.

Request Under the FIA

1.Under the Freedom of Information regulations [Act] can you please supply me with a copy of the original request to hold the NZ Defence Industry Association Forum from the 30 Oct to 1 Nov 2018 at the Central Energy Trust Arena in Palmerston North.

2. Which Committee of Council holds responsibility for this consent and when were the Committee members informed of its receipt and approval. Was it before or after the CEO / Mayoral approval? FYI, As I understand it the PNCC ethical investment policy was developed by the Finance and Performance Committee.

3. Depending on your reply [within the 20 day time frame laid down by the FIA] I seek also to speak to the Committee or the full Council regarding the consenting of this matter. If that is possible would you please inform me of the process.

Sincerely Yours  Peter J Wheeler Past PNCC Councillor.

I would value your assistance in presenting to the PNCC my request. Others are also moving in this direction. You may consider joining them in attempting to bring a sense of responsibility to our city leadership.

4. 

https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/364834/speaker-calls-off-bridges-expenses-inquiry

Simon Bridges tale that no MP leaked the news of his massive spend-up a few days before the info was officially released. 
As yet we can't be sure if it actually was an National Party MP, or a member of their staff. [You know Judith Collins tells her pet blogger 'Whale Oil'] who tells others. 
It is said that the 'leaker' has mental problems, and that an investigation into the leaking could tip him/her over the top. The Police know who the sender of the email is...After what has happened accross the ditch, Simon must be wondering if he is next on a hit list.
https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/364815/bridges-police-know-identity-of-texter-claiming-expense-leak

The fact that the Speaker has called off the official inquiry and its cost to tax payers will be saved is a welcome behaviour change...But Simon still thinks that the inquiry should go ahead...

Profiting from war and suffering is immoral.
War is not just another business and no-one should profit from it. More and more, people are starting to make the connections between wars we see on the six o’clock news and our home-grown ‘defence’ industry.

The arms trade as a whole needs to be tackled, and not just the worst excesses of it. It serves to aggravate global instability and misery and we should work to dismantle the industry wherever we find it.

 



Well that's it for this week, I hope you are well and keeping warm and please don't forget you are among the most important people in the world, why because all people are important. 

 Wheeler's Corner is broadcast on MPR AM 999 each Monday at 4 pm