Miscellaneous nihilism

We were right when we said almost a week ago that Morgs Hunter-Bell will stand in the by-election. He's confirmed it on his website today. As a commenter bemoaned, "...someone only need start a rumour and it gets it's own update". That's because we feel it's better to air information and let ordinary Watchers confirm it for themselves, rather than keep stuff confined to secret caucus meetings and public excluded sessions of Council, then when forced to release it to do so in a mist of spin and disinformation.

A lot of rumours that find there way here are based on fact, but the people who know the truth aren't about to risk coming into the cross-hairs of a wealthy and highly litigious individual like the Diva. Not that we're referring to any particular rumour. No, not at all.

---

Talking of which, amongst the mist which forms the latest Mayoral e-column is this fascinating tid-bit:

We have a special council meeting on Monday to analyse "an investment opportunity" and then have some preliminary discussions on the LTCCP.

Elsewhere in the mist, the Diva reminds us that Council is "a non-profit, community organisation". Indeed it is. So what's this about "investment opportunities"? Not that Councils ought not to take an opportunity to grow ratepayers' money, but it is ratepayers' money that's potentially at risk, so let's see if Council considers ratepayers worthy of knowing what this is all about. Since we're talking gambling, anyone like to bet whether Watchers will be shooed from the gallery before such incisive financial minds As Muzza Hughes, Dot McKinnon and Rangi Wills decide whether to "invest" your money?

---

Scary Mayor continues to pave the way for Mayorman to come to our rescue, with this comment on the LTCCP:

The financial management and governance of the previous council was appalling. I have a horrible feeling that there is still more to be uncovered in that regard, and I sincerely hope I am wrong. Whatever the result, I suspect an ugly LTCCP is in prospect. With some equally ugly choices needing to be made.

So it's going to get ugly, but it's not the Diva's fault. Clearly, like those commenters who've claimed there have never been successful arts politicians, the Diva hasn't read any Vaclav Havel, Czech poet, writer, and former President, who said:

We must not blame the previous rulers for everything, not only because it would be untrue but also because it could blunt the duty each of us faces today, that is, the obligation to act independently, freely,reasonably, and quickly.

---

And while some Watchers are about ready to choke on the amount of mist we're reproducing here, we couldn't let this pass without comment:

There was the usual moaning and whinging from the usual moaners and whingers, over Dr Warburton's reorganisation of the Queens Park facilities – the cultural precinct that includes the library, art gallery and museum.

Cr Rangi Wills is right in his public comments on such people. Nothing will make them happy – they are malcontents. For them it was always the Sarjeant Gallery extension or nothing. They are not so much critics as petty nihilists.

Actually, since a nihilist is a skeptic, cynic, disbeliever, dissenter and doubter we're happy to accept the moniker, but we assume he's also including Jodie Dalgleish (Wanganui Arts, Culture and Heritage trustee, Sarjeant supporters working party member, gallery owner and artist) and Deb Frederikse (Wanganui Arts, Culture and Heritage Trust chair) in that particular spray, since they dared get quoted in the Chron as being "cautious" about the beheading of Bill Milbank and promotion of Sally Patrick. No room for doubt in Mickey's Brave New World.

And we haven't even mentioned how "uncomfortable" the River Queen "premiere" is making the poor Diva. "I'm not a red carpet sort of person", he laments. Well he's stood up the organisers of enough other functions, so the solution is simple - don't show. Forego an opportunity for a media appearance. Go on Mickey, you know you can do it. But since we're in a gambling mood, we'll bet Watchers he'll be there, Mayoress in tow, pearly whites shined for the cameras. Hating every flashbulb of course. It's the Wanganui in him.

---

Meanwhile, make sure you head along to the Council's website and pick up a copy of the quarterly bulletin. Nine mentions of the shy, retiring Diva in eight pages (and, to be fair, we're not counting the listing of his name and email address along with those of other Councillors on the back page). Dot McKinnon gets two, David Warburton gets four, though one of these is just a heading above his photo.

---

Update (8.25pm): An artistic Watcher (the very worst kind, according to the Diva) has sent in this illustration of Councillor Morgs off to his first meeting. Don't despair Morgs, we're laughing with you.

We'll give him this much: poli-speak comes naturally. In one paragraph of his announcement he admits to being "friendly with the current set of councillors, as well as the Mayor", but in the next assures readers that "contrary to speculation, I have not been approached by the Vision party about running under their banner" and that "my own name will be what goes on the signs and pamphlets".

Just like Rangi Wills, hmm? His name went on all his material as well, and we all know how fiercely independent he is.

Morgs says his biggest problem at present is campaign finance, and that he "will consider any sponsorship proposals that come [his] way". Hopefully not including having the entire campaign funded by the Mayor the way the diVisioners did, in return for a small price. But then again, they probably weren't using their souls anyway.

Comments on this post are now closed.