Worried not, we are no longer
Some debate in comments as to whether taking on another ill-fated TV project (well, unless you counting getting hives for a few days on Trash Island a success) on top of the other stuff really allows our Beloved Leader to devote enough of his razor-sharp mind to the job we pay him for (and yes, we do pay him - that he chooses to give it away doesn't alter that fact).
Yet another search through LawsWatch's yellowing newspaper archives has reminded us of this gem of the Diva's literary talents, from when he had a column in the Chron - this one was published on Monday,15 March 2004 and entitled "Entering the fray":...I have no intention of using these columns as propaganda or pompous puffery.
At this point we considered recommending the column to nitrous oxide addicts wanting to kick the habit, but bravely we read on...One question though has been posed of me all week. Will I have the time to do all my media commitments and still, if elected, be mayor of Wanganui? Answer: If elected, my media commitments will have to fit around the mayoralty and not the other way round. Each engagement will have to fit one simple criteria. Is it in the wider interests of Wanganui? Not of Michael Laws. It’s the conclusion I reached after months of careful consideration.
Touched were our hearts. In our eyes, a tear there was. Quivering, our bottom lips began. Like Yoda, talking we were. So that answers the question of commenters who've been asking whether rushing all over NZ attempting gratuitous self-aggrandisement is in keeping with his duties as Mayor.
It's not for his benefit, you silly citizens, it's for yours.
Comments on this post are now closed.
51 comments:
Most of us knew he was never going to promote anything other than himself, it seems pretty clear Wanganui was carefully chosen by Laws, firstly because he could claim a connection, secondly because it was clear a change in Mayor was going to happen [may as well be me!says Michael]and thirdly because we were ripe for the picking.
A place that was ground down by the costs of a sewerage scheme,lacklustre leadership, and negative self image,was blinded temporarily by the offer of the fame that would come from a celebrity mayor!
Let him take on as many TV committments as he wants, at least he leaves us free to get on with all that was good about this place before he came,his absence makes our loyal Wanganui hearts grow fonder of this great place to live,[its ours not his!!]
I'm trying to remember the TV commitments the mayor has entered SINCE the election, realising that he did the SKY TV rugby show beforehand & said that he's continue with it.
1. 1 week (not 2) in Tonga on 'Celebrity Treasure Island';
2. TV 3 Election night commentary
for 1 night;
3. TVNZ Sunday coverage on election (1 night.
I'm pretty sure that's it. As for this new show on 'Prime TV', I've googled and 'It's Out Of The Question' is set to play for 13 weeks but if its like 'Game of Two Halves' then they tape 2 shows in one day - so that must be one day per fortnight.
Googling again, I see he's going to be wearing Wanganui T-shirts on every episode so that's got to be good coverage for Wanganui. (I saw Brent Todd & a couple of the girls wearing wearing Wanganui Ts on CTI - that was priceless).
Conclusion: stop your bitching LawsWatch - he's delivering the profile he promised & Wanganui wanted. Any other mayor would seize the opportunity & you now it.
You gotta give the Diva his due - he keeps his pre-election promises & that makes him even more dangerous than you think.
Have you people not been paying attention: Laws causes problems at council every day with his duplicated then forgotten diktats; he's not dangerous he's incompetent.
Michael, as he is so fond of saying, is all over the place like a mad woman's shit.
anonymous said 'I see he's going to be wearing Wanganui T-shirts on every episode so that's got to be good coverage for Wanganui. (I saw Brent Todd & a couple of the girls wearing wearing Wanganui Ts on CTI - that was priceless).'
So lets follow this thought through....someone famous?wears a t-shirt with a place name on it on TV and that makes you want to visit?live there?invest there? Yeah right!
So just how good is this type of promotion? Check out some of the research around on what people are looking for when they make a decision on a place to visit,live or invest in, Im sorry but seeing someone wearing the shirt just doesnt cut it!!
So just how is it priceless?
i also perceive michael as being incompetent
he is not the right sort of person for local government as he lacks the sort of stickability needed there
i AM listening to what is being said about day to day life at council offices
i wish more who work there would comment on their own daily existance anonymously of course
The more he's out of town the better for each and every one of us.
anonymous said 'I see he's going to be wearing Wanganui T-shirts on every episode so that's got to be good coverage for Wanganui. (I saw Brent Todd & a couple of the girls wearing wearing Wanganui Ts on CTI - that was priceless).'
What if he makes a complete dick-head of himself, with Wanganui written on his skinny chest? Priceless!
The sad thing is, Michael makes a perfectly fine narcissistic radio announcer, and he writes passably, so he needn't have tried to be a mayor, if it weren't for his overweening ego.
Anon;
(I saw Brent Todd & a couple of the girls wearing wearing Wanganui Ts on CTI - that was priceless).'
The Druggie?
7 35 posting
I HONESTLY THINK THAT YOU HAVE SAID IT EXACTLY RIGHT
OTHER BLOGGERS TAKE NOTE
Well, you'd have to say that his version of being mayor is the perfect career building move for a wannabe celeb.
Every bit of "controversy" he cooks up gets him in the media and by the strange standards of "celebrity" in this country can then be used to crank up his celeb pay cheques.
Isn't that right, Michael?
Anonymous said...
I'm trying to remember the TV commitments the mayor has entered SINCE the election, realising that he did the SKY TV rugby show beforehand & said that he's continue with it.
1. 1 week (not 2) in Tonga on 'Celebrity Treasure Island'; etc
-----------------------------------I am sure Micky was away from Wanganui longer than one week for CTI.
Micky goes to Auck every Wed afternoon for filming (apart from the one when he missed his flight).
Time will tell if he goes to Auck every Friday. If it is only once every two weeks that would mean he may spend eight rather than seven half days in a two week period
at the council. His salary far outweighs his commitment to Wanganui as Mayor.
Who cares if he wears a T shirt with Wanganui on it.(what an embarrassment for Wanganui, it would be better if he didn't). Good for Wanganui, only Micky and Mickys supporters could think that.
Micky is not delivering the profile Wanganui needs.
Fortunately those that have spoken to me that live outside Wanganui know that the profile delivered is Mickys and not that of the general public of Wanganui.
P.S. Thanks Lawswatch for taking up this issue - my thoughts exactly.
Tough - he's going to carry on doing it the next 2 years, you lot are raging at him getting great exposure for Wangas and himself, and it won't influence Wanganui, the media or him one little bit. Suck on that arseholes - your boring moan/moan/moan has turned me into a Laws supporter. Burn these pricks, Mike - they deserve it! If only you all weren't such loser non-enties because I smell Envy with a capital E.
Michael, you can take it from me that no-one is envious of you, your demons, your incompetence or your ego. It is you who carries the belief that Tv appearances have worth, that media exposure equals mana.
You are mistaken: you have all the mana accorded to clowns the world over.
Meanwhile, the rest of us have creative rewarding work to do.
The triple poster at 10:56 last night sounds quite upset. Are you Ok? Perhaps you might like to go and see mummy and get a biscuit? The grown-ups are talking, sweetie.
You see, we're debating the value to Wanganui of "subliminal advertising". That's like when I know you want a lolly so I show you an apple, Ok dearie?
The triple poster at 10:56 last night sounds like ... Mickey, to me, dicking himself again.
Dear Lord, Mickey, it doesn't matter how often you say this crap no one here but Nige*** is interested.
Anyway, hope you're feeling better this morning, sweetie.
THE DIVA SAID: If elected, my media commitments will have to fit around the mayoralty and not the other way round. Each engagement will have to fit one simple criteria. Is it in the wider interests of Wanganui? Not of Michael Laws.?
So, Michael, how many committee meetings have been changed to avoid Laws-free Wednessdays then?
It was becoming a bit of a problem when the community committee started looking like it had a mind of its own in your absence in Tonga, Auckland etc boosting the paypacket of Michael Laws (see When the Cat's Away.
That's why its meetings were switched from the inconvenient Wednesday schedule, so you could be at the right hand of Sue P running the meeting, in the interests of Michael Laws.
Then wasn't it cute the way the annual plan business was suddenly switched from 9am starts to afternoons only, to suit the broadcasting paypacket interests of Michael Laws?
THanks, LawsWatch, for finding this little blast from the past.
Not to mention the number of times councillors get asked to stand in for Michael Laws at "mayoral" engagements, because the "mayor" is off celebritising in the interests of Michael Laws.
It must feel weird to work at Council with that "morning's over, get ready for the madman" feeling day in day out. Except Wednesdays of course.
I do want to add this heartfelt plea to all Council workers, though. Remember, people who suffer mental illnesses are fragile and deserve our sympathy. You must be extra careful around Michael; don't get him upset.
I put in that entry last night that went x3 so never thought I'd say this to the motley crew here but apols., even if you do accuse me of being the mayor which is nice because I'd like to be and I'd be harder on people like you, Carol. You're a well poisoner and Wangas would be better off with such people. You're also a liar saying that no Code losers run this blog when its Carol Webb all along.
The really interesting part of this blog is that council workers DON'T contribute, Carol. That must piss you off because there is nothing here except hate, resentment and envy and no insights or embarrassing news about what's up & what's not.
As for the polls - I've voted numerous times (go JM!)just for one candidate so its as accurate as that!!
One of the funniest things about this blog is the way that Bob Walker, Real Estate Agent and failed council candidate, keeps up the desperate pretence that this blog is just Carol. What a tosser you are, Bob.
The abuse always reaches a crescendo whenever telling points are made, like the above thread contrasting Michael's promises with Michael's behaviour.
Since Bob says the CoC complainants are "losers", let's use the CoC report as an example shall we children?
"I always act in the best interests of Wanganui" Michael Laws
Example 5
An article in the Sunday Star Times, 12 December 2004, by reporter Helen Bains, quoting from an interview with Mayor Laws. Whilst some Councillors considered a comment by Mayor Laws regarding the Sarjeant Gallery Trust Board reflected badly on them as Councillors and on Wanganui
as a whole, by a majority the Committee resolved that the example referred to the Mayor’s personal opinion which he was entitled to express and no response would be required."
So, he got away with it because in a split decision, they decided it was "just his opinion" (where have we heard that before).
In the best interests of Wanganui? I think not.
Lawrence, Matt, Jim, Snow, Pip, Joan, Harold, Mike, everyone knows you're all Carol. Carol even posts the anti Carol posts.
Carol has a time machine that enables her to do all this.
Meanwhile, as Helen Clark, Minister for the Arts, eases back into the PM's chair, the prediction that the only Wanganui institution which will be properly funded under Mickey will be the Sarjeant gets closer to being a reality. Doesn't that make you choke, Bob?
Dear LawsWatch
What seems to be overlooked in assessing the value of this blog to Wanganui is its role as a “soak hole” for the bile that builds up and seemingly needs to be vomited up daily by mayor and his little band of troglodytes.
By giving them an outlet here you are probably saving council staff a few mayoral tantrums, improving domestic harmony, sparing the city further mad outbursts in the national media, etc. Maybe even reducing the need for the most base of them to pick fights in bars.
As for Bob Walker, it’s a service not only to Chron readers but especially to Bob himself if he feels less need to write those idiotic letters. Though of course one needs to take into account the new outbreak of pathetic Maori false IDs.
So, keep it up, LawsWatch (whoever you are) and keep up the abuse, Michael, Bob et al, while the rest of Wanganui’s citizens go about their lives in relative peace.
roflmao
thanks
A little like the written equivalent of the toilets of Equador, in fact, which were forced to accommodate celeb tourist Laws' "vile yellow putrescence with no solid matter".
"Starring arguably the best actress working today, Samantha Morton, and directed by Vincent Ward, River Queen should have been a slam dunk, but instead it is a muddled messy work" - Indie film review on web.
Dear Lord, sounds just like our council.
" – it's choppy, dramatically inert, and the rhythm keeps conking out. Dispenses with most of the minor roles in the first reel, so it's basically Morton going downriver in search of her Maori son, to bursts of glorious choral music. Gave it an hour, then decided it was an occasionally gorgeous shambles and left it at that." - MainlyMovies
And doesn't this sound like our mayor- lol
A perverse fascination with poos
Is usually kept out of the news
The yellow putresence
Should have taught us a lesson
And prepared us for Michael's abuse.
But instead we voted in droves
For this moron in mayoral clothes
And now on the chair
Of the mayor over there
A great pile of shit ever grows
I've voted three times for Jodie - does that disqualify me? I've done so ever since I heard a vision supporter saying John Martin was their preferred by-election candidate because he would be "controllable".
You make me laugh, clown: Michael can't even control himself.
How come all these reviewers have seen River Dog when we've got the "commercial premiere"?
Fox are going to shaft WDC out of a publicity piss-up. Perhaps they hate Mickey too.
Not going to be very commercial once the reviewers have finished with it, that's for sure. Sob.
So let's get this right?
The WDC SHOULDN'T hold a premiere?
So if they were to cancel it, would you applaud? Would you heck!
C'mon Carol - proceed or not???
Another bullshit red herring from Lawsmob. We are questioning the validity of Council's methods for making this decision. So was your mayor before he lost his tongue on this issue.
I say scrap the premiere, it's a ill-thought through proposal and has more to do with Vision campaigning than with benefit to Wanganui. The reason town is so flat at that time of year is because everyone's on holiday, or has spent all their spare cash on Xmas. Use the $150k to promote tourism in an effective way, not to realise Dotty dreams.
It's only Dotty driving it anyway. Slack in the hotel trade at that time of year. Dotty's got caterers to keep employed and a windowless bar to fill. She's going to try and get WDC to pay for the Avenue Motor Inn's seasonal down-turn.
Maybe if we all talked nicely to 'Prime' they might give the Diva a permanent job
I'll wager that if the mayor cancels the RQ premiere, the harshest criticism will be from here!
anon "I'll wager that if the mayor cancels the RQ premiere, the harshest criticism will be from here!"
Yes, I imagine that LawsMob (all three of them) would be very upset.
I'll wager that if the mayor cancels the RQ premiere, he'll be overstepping his authority because only Council would be able to do that. Get used to it, criticism is part of improvement - you won't get far with sycophants.
I'll wager that if lawsy cancels the River Queen premiere, we'll have to once again remind him that it isn't the premiere. Are Fox even coming to the party?
I'll wager that if Mickey tries to take Dotty's party favours away, the pro Wanganui faction in Vision will vote against him.
Its well known that the mayor is not in favour of the premiere - he thinks he can spend the $150K better in terms of promotional $. I'll wager he finds a way to can it.
I'll wager Dot will get the numbers to shaft him on something else if he does any such thing.
I'll match your wager and add a River Dog tee-shirt that even the Spin Fiary won't be able to spin herhis way out of that one.
I'll double your wager and throw in a signed copy of the mayoral portrait that he gets Mas to run an absolutely-fabulous spiffingly good review of River Dog.
I'll see your t-shirt and raise you one "Wanganui celebrity" promotional coke spoon that having paddled us all the way up shit creek Dotty won't stop now.
"- he thinks he can spend the $150K better in terms of promotional $. "
Suggestions on a postcard...
1. The Mayoral Munch. A televised eating and drinking competition starring the Vision councillors with Bob & Leonie. Catering by Dotty.
2. The Mayoral Münch. A televised art auction starring Michael and Bob.
3. The Mayoral punch-up. A live audience show a la Jerry Springer where Wanganui residents are encouraged to show Mickey what they really think of him. With Bob providing security.
The smart money say's that the RQ premier has the skid's under it. Laws has dumped Dotty right in it, lack of sponsors etc, Look for a spin release from the Mayor blaming an unreasonable Fox.
Ahhh … who remembers the giddy days when the Diva was talking about a $1 million premiere for a $20 million movie? And when Dotty was talking about boatloads of cash from Wellington?
Mayor Michael Laws said earlier that the premiere could cost as much as $1 million to stage, but Mrs McKinnon said the feeling in the city was now to settle for a figure of about $400,000.
Mrs McKinnon said the Wanganui District Council had put $150,000 in the pot and was trying to persuade the Government to match this dollar for dollar. Other fundraising efforts were being pursued with Investment New Zealand and corporate sources. (Manawatu Standard 21 June 2005)
And on and on he went ....
I’ve said all along that my media appearances, if elected mayor, would be dictated by what’s best for Wanganui rather than what’s best for Michael Laws." - ML press release 09 May 04
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