Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Where are the crackpots when you need them?

Michael Laws, Mayor, WanganuiAlmost a year ago to the day LawsWatch reported that Mickey had grabbed $50,000 to inaugurate a private Vigilante Corps who were going to patrol Wanganui's streets, "liasing directly with the police watch house" (and we've since asked several times just where they are).

Sadly, as the floods in New Orleans late last year demonstrated beyond a doubt, there are some people for whom flooding - indeed, any large scale tragedy - is merely an opportunity to wreak more havoc on an already stressed community: anything from looting and carjacking to shooting at rescue helicopters.

So following the deluge of the past few days much closer to home, it seems in hindsight inevitable that Wanganui would spawn some lowlife who'd take advantage of the situation for their own unsavoury ends. In this case, burning down the homes of sleeping residents and narrowly avoiding (by sheer good luck) the murder of young children and elderly people.

With emergency services staff stretched to the limit, if ever there was a time when The Michael Laws Dismounted Vigilantes might have had a useful role to play, this was it. So we ask yet again - where are they, a year down the track? And who's got their hands on the $50,000 - coincidentally the exact amount that the desperate residents of Mangamahu reckon would be enough to fix their road.

Incidentally, if anyone reading has any information on the arsons they should call Wanganui police on 349 0600.

Comments on this post are now closed.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

it is very sad when anonymous posters like Laws watch seek to make political gain out of;
1. persons burned out of their homes
2. Mangamahu residents cut off
3. the current cicil defence crisis in Wanganui.
You're a sad AND sick person Laws Watch.
It was interesting listening to Checkpoint (National Radio) tonight and hearing Mangamahu residents praising the efforts of the mayor.
Spot the real low-life, Laws Watch. She's in the mirror.

Laws Watch said...

As opposed to making political capital (and unfunny humour) out of dead babies you mean?

Meanwhile the question remains: where's the Citizens' Patrol? Or the $50,000?

Or do you agree with our original post a year ago, where we pointed out they'd be of utterly no use?

Anonymous said...

According to the police, the community volunteers are doing a great job. Why not ask Snr Sgt Duncan McLeod who is the acting Super?

Anonymous said...

John Maslin resigns as editor of the Wanganui Chronicle.

The first victim of Laws Watch?
If so is that acceptable collateral damage?

Anonymous said...

It will take way more than $50,000 to fix Te Rimu Road which is not the road that services Mangamahu. The back route through to Mangamahu has to cross over 7kms of private land and even if that was a permanent operation it could only take 4WDs and not stock trucks.

The bridge is the only option and the Mayor has done a good job but I guess you'll still slam him despite that.

Anonymous said...

Mickey must be well pissed off that his boy Maslin no longer holds the reins at the Chron.

It will be interesting watching him try to get his hooks into the new incumbent.

Perhaps this shameful chapter in the Chronicle's history can now be closed.

Anonymous said...

Talk about making political gain out of anything...we have an expert in our midst.
The Govt gives $100,000 for a bailey bridge and the mayors resulting fawning in his press release would have us believe this is a major gain and solution,
Its a temporary fix only designed to give access to enable the neccessities of life to continue in the interim, insulting Jim Anderton may return to bite him...when we have to go back for some solid funding

Anonymous said...

So, John Maslin, are you starting to understand the true meaning of the phrase "everything Michael Laws touches turns to shit"?

Anonymous said...

You judge people in times of crisis. Laws has done well this past week - we should see more of that side.

Anonymous said...

The first victim of Laws Watch?

Right, it was Lawswatch that constantly emailed JM telling him what to print, even when he was on holiday (oops). It was Lawswatch that induced the Chron. to give legitimacy to Laws' attack on Wanganui. Next you'll be blaming the Watchers for Helen Lawrence's resignation.