Lesson unlearned
By now most people will have read the DominionPost piece assessing the Diva's reign to date.
Those that haven't can click the link above and read for themselves. The highlights include:(Noting he said he would review the planned upgrade of the Sarjeant Gallery, rein in council spending and raise the city's profile): Mr Laws has delivered on all three promises... [he] has given Wanganui a national profile it has not "enjoyed" since the 1995 Moutoa Gardens occupation.
Local residents have reason to be grateful for some of his endeavours, particularly his efforts to rein in council spending...
But in the style reminiscent of Mr Laws' brief parliamentary career, making good on his promises has involved maximum denigration of his opponents and maximum promotion of himself.
It is not beyond the realms of possibility that a hard-headed approach was necessary in Wanganui after the gentle six-term reign of Mr Laws' predecessor, Chas Poynter.
But making hard decisions does not have to mean villifying anybody who dares to object. The best mayors are not just those who balance their councils' books, but those with a vision who are able to rally their communities around it.
Mr Laws could learn much from [Tim] Shadbolt [whose] increase in his profile has not come at the expense of the cities he has led... Mr Laws' profile has also risen during his time in the mayoral chair, but Wanganui has not benefited from the exposure.
Instead, its image is now that of a bitterly divided city and a cultural backwater in which no regard is held for the arts...
Mr Laws has given Wanganui a high profile, but it is one Wanganui could have done without. The sigh coming from the rest of the country is one of relief that Mr Laws selected Wanganui as the site of his second political coming, and not some other unfortunate metropolis.
Firing off a Letter to The Editor, the Diva responded, first defending the "simple solution to sell a work that is not essential to the collection, to raise the cash to safeguard all the others" in a "city [that] is strapped for cash".
Having defended that philosophy based on a reasonable and cogent argument (albeit one that's debatable, as is the alternative point of view), it was back to business as normal (i.e. attack the messenger, his opponents, and anyone else nearby who looked deserving of a spray):Finally there was the nonsense that I had denigrated opponents by calling a few zealots "single issue nutters". This was not so much a criticism as an observation, after I was accused of various untrue acts by these same individuals.
The 'Dominion-Post' has a distressing tendency to only report news out of Wanganui that is either sensational or wrong...
It's time your newspaper lifted its game, and got its facts right for a change...
Clearly, the point of the DominionPost editorial was completely lost. While there's legitimate debate on the solutions to Wanganui's problems, and while every idea advanced by the Mayor (and Councillors) isn't automatically wrong - indeed some are perfectly reasonable - it's not all about the destination.
What's concerning increasing numbers of people - including the DominionPost's writer - is how we get there. If we arrive at the destination a city divided against itself, then the destination - whether the one mapped out by the Diva, by his opponents, or some compromise - ceases to matter.
Comments on this post are now closed.
74 comments:
Sadly more and more people are regretting voting for 'the team' which included some very good people.
It's surprising to see ML setting out to shoot the messenger when the DomPost went so easy on him.
After all, the editorial didn't mention the fact that his real agenda has nothing to do with selling "just a bit" (to quote Nicki H) of the collection to fund restoration. That's plainly a crock of shit.
And that's why none of his rants, including the letter to the DP, even mention the Higgie group. Behind the spin, his motives are simple. Get his hands on a cool $12m worth of art and spend it like a drunken sailor.
Spin, Mickey, spin.
"Sadly more and more people are regretting voting for 'the team'"
Which is why "the team" needs to get its shit together, elect a proper leader and ditch the divisionary diversionary Diva.
That letter is possibly the pinnacle of self-serving spin and it will be seen for what in Wellington for what it is.
So thanks, Mickey, for rushing in to help the Dom Post make the point that you are poisoning this city.
Funny cos I dont regret voting for him.. and whats more I bet if a vote was held tomorrow I wouldnt be in the minorty either.
That must REALLY grate on you ponsy lefty arty farty liberals.
Im not a poncy lefy arty farty liberal and I wont be voting for him
A vote will be held in a couple of months so we will see
Of course you don't regret voting for him now, dear.
You will, however, not want to admit to it once ML has decisively and definitively destroyed Wanganui's infrastructure, demolished any credibility we had as a democratic, well-balanced city that celebrated its history and embraced its future.
Your chosen leader is spending up large, taxing the poor and massaging the bank balances of St John's Hill residents, while at the same time committing time and most importantly, rate payer's money, to projects that are not just ill-concieved but will cost us forever and a day to run and keep running.
He's about to start selling off the family silver as well, so that when he fails - and he will, as he has done in every public position he has ever held - Wanganui will be in debt, without any assets, strong or knowledgable leadership, local government expertise, and with a CEO who used to run a meat factory.
So, when you have to pay $1000 extra per quarter for rates, pay to watch local rugby clubs play, put coins in a meter at the supermarket or pay a surcharge on coffee because the cafe's lease has skyrocketed, you make sure to keep crowing about voting for Vision.
And arty farty liberals will be nowhere to be seen, because they would have left, while you can't afford a Lotto ticket.
It's not just the left that despise Michael Laws.
"That must REALLY grate on you ponsy lefty arty farty liberals. "
This sounds like our old friend John B. He's so much from the Right as from the Loony Bin.
We're not necessarily "arty farty", though many commenters seem to be, but we accpt your "liberal" tag with thanks.
Liberal:
advanced, altruistic, avant-garde, beneficent, benevolent, bighearted, broad-minded, charitable, enlightened, exuberant, flexible, free, generous, giving, handsome, high-minded, humanistic, humanitarian, impartial, kind, lavish, magnanimous, munificent, open-hearted, philanthropic, reasonable, receiving, receptive, reformist, tolerant, unbiased, unbigoted, unconventional, understanding, unorthodox, unprejudiced, unselfish, unsparing, unstinging.
Funny cos I dont regret voting for him.. and whats more I bet if a vote was held tomorrow I wouldnt be in the minorty either.
You were never in the majority before so what makes you think you would be in the majority if a vote was held tomorrow? Your Diva Micky did not become Mayor with a majority vote. If you combine all the votes that were given to the other candidates (votes against Micky) there was not a majority for your Micky. All that sadly happened to Wanganui with the split voting was Micky got enough votes to become Mayor.
OHHH by the way I don't fit the arty farty liberals label.
Te hee hee
Was that really the Diva on tv just now talking about political C-R-E-D-I-B-I-L-I-T-Y??
At that rate we'll soon have Bob Clarkson on talking about respect for women.
I'm not an arty person just a business owner, I come in here just to keep up to date with a different view point on the council. Not all I agree with. I also voted, the mayor, in for a change, but would not again, as the man seems to have a problem communicating with people.
At that rate we'll soon have Bob Clarkson on talking about respect for women.
We'll bet our collective left testicles you won't.
"I'm not an arty person just a business owner,"
I wouldn't mind betting that most of us in here who generally oppose Laws for his diVisionary tactics and dishonesty are not "arty" types.
It's just that it suits him and the likes of Bob Walker, who are prolific commenters on this blog, to keeping trying to take the subject back to art-related issues in order to deflect from the valid criticisms that arise here of all aspects of this regime.
It must be very frustrating for them to be getting nowhere in trying to inimidate the Watchers who, let's face it, seem to be everywhere.
I have lived in many countries and cities and I just don't understand why he thinks that arts-bashing is of any value, except for the headlines it gives him.
Youve got to acknowledge this is a very biased forum, and that's fair enough..but the reality is my friends that Michael although obsessed by himself, sex, and revenge (stuff that most people actually are also but are not so honest or transparent with) the general population see him as doing a fantastic job.
Aside from those personally affronted by the guy (who care..and really shouldnt be taking him seriously) and those reacting to change....
W(h)anganui Loves LAWS.
And.. guess what guys, you are all in luck because its giving you some excellent entertainment. ..and he loves attention so you are all really getting your jollies out of this. So..why not have a multiple orgasm togtether, smoke a cigarette, and make up. :-)
Oh poop..Ive just realised this is better than sex for you all and our mayor (well maybe not him)..disregard the last para above..thx
A S.I.N.er said...
the general population see him as doing a fantastic job.
What is it that you are smoking? I could do with some of it. Although I think I would need to smoke heaps of it to come to that conclusion.:-)
..(stuff that most people actually are also but are not so honest or transparent with)...
It's called self control, and is a feature of people not afflicted by arrested developmental problems (not to mention inadequate potty training).
Sadly, Michael seems to lack this self-control.
This thread is missing the point that the mayor's reply to the Dominion-Post was accurate and that the DP does not properly cover Wanganui politics or our community.
On popularity, all the various claims of support or not are silly. No-one really knows until a definitive poll is taken or the next election. I hear both sides - people pissed off who voted for him and people enthused by those who didn't.
Yes he has irritated arts people but they do not represent a sizeable chunk of the popn and most didnt vote for him anyway because of his known views on the gallery extension. He also is loathed by the St John's Hill set (variously described as the old boys network but less organised than that ) - the Pam Jones, David Cairncross, Rob Vinsen, Dennis Woods, Warren Ruscoe lot - but they didn't vote for him either. I went to a number of dinners pre-election where that was very obvious, which was why his election was such a shock.
He gained his support from "ordinary" people and that's because he's a populist. They live in Wanganui East, Aramoho, Gonville, Springvale and they watch the motorcycle races, end their kids to the Splash Centre, etc. I'd say that he is no less popular with them and perhaps even more so for taking us educated and established "arties" on. The Sarjeant extension "debate" did us little credit and while I appreciate the Code comnplainers, I think that only shored up his support with those I've mentioned above.
Can we do commission a proper poll?
No reason why not. Why not wait until after the election and pick the three most accurate poll companies, then get quotes off them for say 1000 people survey (gives +/-1% accuracy or thereabouts). Which one you pick after that is up to you :)
"This thread is missing the point that the mayor's reply to the Dominion-Post was accurate, and..."
Where to start? The reply was accurate only in that it reflects Michael Laws' opinion. Selling donated work, far from being a good idea, threatens the whole collection. So in this Laws' letter is far from accurate. His assertions regarding the Extension and the referendumb are equally suspect. He may be right about the DomPost, but the problem there is that the Chron. has dropped the ball. In any event, he neglects to even mention Nicki Higgie. I call that betraying a member of his own team.
You were saying?
I wrote the entry about the Dom-Post editorial and the need for an independently commissioned poll so excuse me for replying to the points that have been raised.
1. Yes, getting estimates would be great;
2. The mayor is right about the Dom-Post's neglect of Wanganui I meant.
3. He may also be correct in his idea of selling an art work or two to conserve the rest because of the city's financial state. One thing he has been very effective at getting across is how worrisome the council's finances. He has specifically mentioned, I see, the sale of 'Flight into Egypt'. That was not a donated art work - it was raised by public subscriptions in the 1920s and is itself in need of repair if my last viewing is any indication.
4. I don't think a policy disagreement between Cr Higgie and the mayor can be described as a "betrayal". I'm sure they both have functioning brains and why would you expect them to agree 100% of the time?
5. The part that gives the mayor credibility on his "sell & conserve" theme is that the last trust board had also agreed to do so. This does cut the ground out from the "no sales" response, don't you think?
Anyway, just my views.
" 'Flight into Egypt'. That was not a donated art work"
Art lover raised the money then donated the painting to the Sarjeant. Them being dead doesn't make any difference.
"The part that gives the mayor credibility on his "sell & conserve" theme is that the last trust board had also agreed to do so. This does cut the ground out from the "no sales" response, don't you think?
Anyway, just my views."
The SGTB wanted to sell certain works with the idea of raising money for the Extension. Not for conservation. This is a fact, not my view. The rest of the country, in the form of the government, did not support them. This strengthens the no sales argument.
The descendents of the "art lovers" who donated "Flight into Egypt" could, if enough of them acted in concert, probably reclaim the work under the de-accession policy. Perhaps they should, to protect it from Mickey Mayor.
The logic in Mickey's argument is wrong. If we take the view that from time to time, we have to sell paintings to conserve the rest, it becomes inevitable that you have to then sell lots of works of lesser value, or one of your best pieces. Neither option makes sense. The whole point of there being a national art collection, such as is currently housed in NZ's provincial galleries, is that the best work is available for public viewing, and not just locked away in the houses of collectors. This body of work represents who we are as a nation, and it is worthy of investment in its own right.
"Anonymous said...
I wrote the entry about the Dom-Post editorial"
That's fine, Nigyllhuw, but the point is that your view is based on total trust, if not adoration of Mickey. The rest of us wouldn't let him near the art debate, let alone trust him once he won the ability to sell works. As Nicki said, there is a slight issue of trust here and that ridiculous letter to the DP claiming the referendumb scuttled the Sarjeant extension is surely sufficient evidence,even for his most one-eyed devotee.
"He gained his support from "ordinary" people and that's because he's a populist. They live in Wanganui East, Aramoho, Gonville.."
The problem with this thesis is that it might have carried some weight before and during the election but it didn't take long before his almost systematic rudeness and arrogance was alienating people from Castlecliff, Aramoho etc who have become disgusted with his behaviour.
In the end it's not so much policy or his failure to actually achieve anything that is turning them against him.
It's things like him failing to show up for prize-givings, slagging off low-decile primary schools then giving the upraised digit to people in a position to challenge him on it, slagging off Kowhai Park, Majestic Square, increased dog and cemetery fees, etc etc. And of course it wasn't rocket science for Castlecliff ratepayers to see straight through the nil rates rise bullshit.
And there seems now to be a growing wave of disgust about how he conducts his "private" life that is being mentioned to me from people living well away from the centre of the action on that one.
I have lots of friends and rellies who live in the areas you mention, Nigyllhuw, and I think you'd be surprised if you got out and talked to them.
Anon sais
'He gained his support from "ordinary" people and that's because he's a populist. They live in Wanganui East, Aramoho, Gonville, Springvale and they watch the motorcycle races, send their kids to the Splash Centre, etc.'
'Castlcliff' are now not the the fan club, business owners have had a rise in rates as-well as the rural areas. And it will be interesting to see how well the council manage collecting the back rent from the motorcycle club. I always make a point of asking as many people I can what they think about the mayor ... well like most New Zealanders people do not like a 'know it all' ... have heard of the term 'tall poppy'. Lets just wait and see what the by-election brings.
"4. I don't think a policy disagreement between Cr Higgie and the mayor can be described as a "betrayal". I'm sure they both have functioning brains and why would you expect them to agree 100% of the time?"
It's weird that you put this down to something called a "policy disagreement".
The question is, why is Laws studiously ignoring Nicki's fundraising efforts - especially after he was the one that set it in motion?
And why does he cry poor at every chance while giving his splash centre people every encouragement that they'll have their gold-plated pool and that the dosh will be easy to fundraise, especially with his worshipful self in the drivers seat.
It comes back to why he wants to get his hands on the collection. Anyone who cares about the Sarjeant should be very worried indeed and should try to apply some intelligent analysis to the way he's running the spin campaign at the expense of Nicki and the others.
Back to the 'Great Land Sale', does anyone know how much time the mayor has to rise the money?
It sounds like Unsworth wants it by lunchtime. But the timeframe the promoters are determined to stick to is to have it all in the bag by Christmas. Thta's not just the $2.5mill from council, but also the $1.5m (at least) that they're going to have to come up with ... and that's where the underwriting pressure is coming from.
You lying shit, anon.
There is nothing wrong with the mayor's private life. At all.
There are shits like you spreading untrue rumours & that discredits the rest of your argument.
You lying shit, anon.
There is nothing wrong with the mayor's private life. At all.
There are shits like you spreading untrue rumours & that discredits the rest of your argument.
I can only assume that those who are attacking the mayor's private life, and spreading malicious rumours, are those who enjoy attacking not simply him but his partner and family who are also the victims.
This is one of the most unlovely aspects of this town and that is its willing tendency to malign anyone who stands as a threat. I know Michael Laws and his family and they are a very loving, committed unit.
I keep on hearing rumours about his private life, and none of them ever amount to anything. I wish whoever keeps on about it would stop. Wanganui is full of giggling whispering ninnies and they don't need encouraging.
I hope Michael has a happy family life. He should resign as mayor.
" can only assume that those who are attacking the mayor's private life, and spreading malicious rumours,"
Fair enough. Why don't you organise a city-wide maildrop telling that to the people in Castlecliff etc - because this stuff is coming from all directions.
Oh dear lord, please don't encourage them to start another spin blitz.
It's sad these rumours still keep coming up on this blog, it serves no purpose, however, the rumours are freely 'out' in the community ( my bank staff 'told' me their version yesterday ). And they have never heard about this blog!
So lets just except Mr Laws is 'being talked about' BUT not go down to that level in this blog. We should be talking about this city and how the Vision team are working or not.
etc. - because this stuff is coming from all directions.
Sorry, I have to agree with that, mostly cafes. But I think it's done the rounds of various old age peoples home as-well.
Just give it a rest !!!!!
Yes, I've heard the rumours too but THEY'RE NOT TRUE.
Which means they were started with malice & are spread with the same.
"Started with malice" depends how they start. "Spread with malice" depends on your perspective. Stop speculating over people's motives: petty gossip is just that: petty.
Watchers and Mobsters are pretty much in agreement on this one. Leave everyone's private life out of it!
It's interesting that the NZ Super Fund is buying the EverGreen Forests estates because, as a leading analyst said on radio, trees are a good investment right now.
That puts into perspective the boy mayor's little tantrum when he found out what any experienced investor knows: Like the sharemarket, forests are a long-term investment with with a cyclical market, and no one with any maturity and intelligence expects to just be able to sell up at any given time.
Wanganui's trees were planted with such a long term outlook and not for some rip, shit and bust mayor looking for a quick sellup regardless of market conditions.
I'm sure the new CEO knows his way around the markets, and he's certainly got forestry business experience so perhaps he'll be able to take young Michael behind the woodshed and explain the facts of life to him.
I wish everyone would stop the "sell to conserve" refrain. What is the point of conserving other artworks, when they're just going stright back into the exact same conditions that caused them to need conservation in the first place?
Make no mistake, that money ain't fixing no paintings. He wants cash to create his own memorial in the heart of the city.
Good point last poster: "the correct conservation methodology is to fix the building first".
"He wants cash to create his own memorial in the heart of the city.
"
Memorial is the right word. At some point this nasty piece of bullshit is going to bite him on the bum and push the Higgies, Pepperells etc over the edge and there'll be a tombstone somewhere with Vision on it.
Speaking of Sue P, I wonder how she feels after Monday's referendum "debate"?
The Diva's information management and spin department, combined with the Chron's slackness, made sure no-one outside LawsWatch heard about her stand on behalf of her Maori constituents over the H in Whanganui and the Maori ward, as well as her misgivings about fluridation going on the referendum?
No only was she unable to make any impact on her fellow diVisionaries, who had clearly been dosed with divarorated water before the vote, but she was up against a chairman who only uses his casting vote in one direction and a media that doesn't want to know and cares even less about anything that doesn't come in a press release straight from the spin fairy.
Vision caucus is where debates happen. Council is just a rubber stamp.
Sue Pepperell knew what she was in for before the election. Did she seriously expect the team would be about anything other than Michael?
I doubt that Sue had any idea what she was in for. She's basically pretty idealistic and naive. I imagine she carries some big expectation, on behalf of Maori and youth and of, course, the arts. Her pain over the Sarjeant fiasco was palpable. She's out of the community chairmanship and now she's going to have to do some explaining to those who, like her, find it unacceptable to use populist stunts like referenda to "fuel race-based feelings", as she so succinctly put it at the meeting.
To Anonymous
9:28 AM, September 15, 2005
I did not write the comment you are referring to. So in future if quoting me - make sure it is me. Also note the correct spelling please. If I come back again I promise right now to use my name so it wont be too hard to identify me. Obviously you feel you know me so I apologise to you as I appear to have caused you some offence.
To Anonymous
12:00 PM, September 15, 2005
Who said Leave everyone's private life out of it!
Hear Hear
To all the other anons, use a name it makes it easier to quote and rebut .
Finally, call me naive, but doesnt anyone else think that if we all spent half as much time communicating and working together as we do attacking each other, Wanganui would be just HUGE and the envy of everywhere?
I love Wanganui and I know everyone in this forum does too. The passion people feel is obvious by the degree of passion put into the threads. Wanganui has been my home for over 30 years and it will be for as long as I can forsee. I wish I had an easy solution to creating a more positive form of communication.
Nygllhuw said...
I wish I had an easy solution to creating a more positive form of communication.
Nygllhuw, those of us who are implacably opposed to Michael are so opposed mostly because of his inability to lead, and his ability to divide.
Ditch the divisionary Diva, and watch Wanganui go back to being the positive creative place it is.
Nygllhuw said...
Finally, call me naive, but doesnt anyone else think that if we all spent half as much time communicating and working together as we do attacking each other, Wanganui would be just HUGE and the envy of everywhere?
Wonderfull advice, just wish it would rub off on to the Mayor but I won't hold my breath.
ML on his web site said
"Tonight though I will be delighted to open Sarah Platt’s painting exhibition – some wonderfully playful pieces dedicated to Wanganui. I have already bought one and also think that her range of Wanganui postcards will be universally popular. I’ll try and make sure that they are posted here, so you can judge for yourself.
Until next week, hope you and your family stay well."
I will have to agree with Nigllezkfttyewyhwu on this one - 1. This doesnt sound like an art hating destroyer 2. if we put half the effort in working together this place would be amazing!!!!!
I have slowly changed my opinion on the man and think that this blog is really attracting some 'negative lefty commie' opinions so im with nm, S.I.Ner and the other posters who appear to live in the real world.
ps- come back matt the phone box is real lonely without you
Yes, Laws is not above using some artists for propoganda purposes while villifying and alienating others. Reminds me of someone else from my 4th form history lessons... um who can that be? Before my time, of course.
Oh yes, of course the same benevolent, art-loving chappie who looted and plundered the arts treasure houses of Europe.
"He was quick to target artists which did not meet his criteria for propoganda art and it was a joy for him to see those who prospered in art be destroyed since he was rejected as a youth in that field."
"... popular taste and upon the neoclassical themes that were Adolf Hitler's favorites ..."
You're a sick puppy.
Give up Nigelhuw - these people are beyond redemption. It's their hate that keeps them alive.
Never fear, Nygllhuw. You're pretty safe here. You're certainly not likely to be called offensive names and be diagnosed in psychiatric terms on the front page of tomorrow's Chron for daring to express opposition to the opinions of anyone posting here.
"Anonymous said... You're a sick puppy. Give up Nigelhuw"
Shouldn't you be putting on your art-lover's mask and getting off to the opening, Michael? At least you should be able to spell his name correctly, shouldn't you Mickey?
The Lefties guide to community development: Lesson One- if someone tries to chnge society faster than the pace of a snail and you cant think of a good argument - call them NAZIS and remind everyone about Hitler -
"Change society, donkey?"
Shrek
TV 3 have him calling election night.
TV 1 have him doing their post-election analysis.
Is there something the rest of NZ knows, that LAwsWatch doesn't?
Whoever the hysteric was who previously posted that the mayor & council were going to sell all the Sarjeant works .... get a grip.
whats the story with the Youth Council? I understand that the kids running it (Jeremy/Morgs) have so impressed the other with their geekiness quality that there's just the 2 of them left. How long before council call in all that lovely ratepayers dosh they've been spending on this nonsense?
whats the story with the Youth Council? I understand that the kids running it.
Get it right, it is the Youth Committee. It would have progressed much further if Micky hadn't dicked them around.
The youth are working hard to set up a youth committee.
This has got to be worthwhile for our Wanganui youth - at least give them a fair go.
Anonymous said...
Ditch the divisionary Diva, and watch Wanganui go back to being the positive creative place it is.
4:58 PM, September 15, 2005
I first met Michael during the election campaign I was a fervent Chas supporter and still consider Chas a great icon. However the City was in need of some change. We had economic growth but it was below the national average and well below comparable provincial centres. For years we had a borrow now pay later mentality. When I told clients in places like Auckland and Wellington where I was based they looked at me like I had six fingers and played a banjo.
This is changing and the Whole Vision Team led by Michael have the motivation and the ability to see us grow and prosper. I respect each Councillor old and new as being motivated by the best interests and at least they have the guts to stand up. It is easy to sit on the side and criticise. When I first met Michael the thing that surprised me was his passion for the city. I seem to remember telling him I disliked his radio show too but he didnt explode as you all seem to think he does on every negative comment.
If the doomsayers in this blog want change then quite frankly anonimity and this blog is the wrong place. Get funding, run a campaign and become the decision makers.
Incidentally some of you also need to learn to forgive first. As an example Joan Street has taken a slamming in this blog from both sides for her election woes. Look at all the other things she has achieved for little to no recognition and then consider just how much you have contributed to your community. Joan knows the things she and I agree and disagree on as we spoke over coffee rather than hide and make snide remarks at each other.
As this section diagram points out Tolerence is how you make friends
Anonymous said...
TV 3 have him calling election night.
TV 1 have him doing their post-election analysis.
Is there something the rest of NZ knows, that LAwsWatch doesn't?
Not realy, He can only preform in front of the camera and the rest of NZ are pleased he isn't their Mayor.
Auckland would love him. He gets things done & doesn't tolerate dickheads.
"Gets things done"? Like the film festival, the downtown mayoral office, the Sarjeant extension, the promised Heart of Wanganui presentation last March, the nil rates rise for Castlecliff? The total Council contribution to Splash Centre extension costs held to $2.5M? Looking forward to him getting that "done" too.
I know you hate the notion that Michael destroyed the film festival - here's how it breaks down: when you offer someone $20,000 then pull the rug from under them, is it any wonder if they get "tired"?
Quick to accusations of liar, Michael is haunted by his past. Different interpretations of events leading to the demise of our film festival are inevitable. Laws' $20k promise backfired on him. Them's the breaks.
But Lawsmob accusing someone else of lying: your leader says lying is acceptable; what was your point again?
Own goal, "anonymous".
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