Saturday, September 22, 2007

An orchestrated litany of lies

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STOP PRESS: READ HERE WHAT THE CHRON WON’T TELL YOU!

Police are investigating an alleged assault at a Wanganui mayoral election forum earlier this week after a candidate's mother claimed that a man had hit her several times.
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Watchers reporting from the streets, supermarkets and cafes of the River City are seeing an overwhelming swing in voter opinion against Wanganui Mayor Michael Laws and his Vision Wanganui henchmen. Despite the outbreak of ratepayer-funded pork barrel politicking by Mickey (free ice-creams for kids, for heaven’s sake!), the electorate has had enough of three years of grandstanding, abuse and anti-democratic diVision party politics. Even previous non-voters can’t wait to cast Laws into talkback oblivion on October 13.

And Watchers are quick to remind their whanau and friends how lucky they are to have the right to vote for 12 non-Vision councillors after around 100 brave souls stood up for democracy, faced down the mini-dictator and succeeded when the Local Government Commission exposed MickeyMayor’s lies and propaganda and upheld the status quo. (Three years ago division ‘policy’ was to cut the number of elected councillors to eight with a claimed saving of $100,000 per annum). However, not even Cr Rangi Wills' duplicity and the Vision puppets' complicity could save this attempted further lurch to dictatorship after the people spoke – crucially they spoke to a statutory “outside” body where the customary Vision bullying carried absolutely no weight.

Meanwhile, as Capt Michael Laws steers Air Vision Wanganui on the flight path for its Electoral Erebus on October 13, our fair city finds itself engulfed in the white-out conditions of, in Justice Mahon’s immortal words, an orchestrated litany of lies. Only paid up mayoral groupies John Maslin (see Mas’s ecstatic editorial of May 2004) and Catherine Kennedy seem to have kept the faith.

And as the first hint of Wanganui’s equinocal nor-wester littered the Cave with a plethora of pamphlets from election hopefuls, Watchers weren’t surprised to find among the pictures of Mayor Michael Laws’ kids, parents, defacto etc (bet he’s wishing he had a dog or cat or two to complete the line-up – Ed) more dodgy claims of personal policy triumphs over the past three years than you could shake a mayoral stick at. In fact, we suspect that MickeyMayor has none other than his old PR queen Antoinette Beck running the Vision Wanganui propaganda machine!

When the Cave TV set is on the blink Watchers can sometimes be found playing a game of their own invention, called Where are they now? This involves crudely scrawling in charcoal on the Cave walls lists of Vision promises from 2004 that have never seen the light of day, or worse have turned out to be A-Grade, Money-wasting Flops. (You’ll note that we don’t include consequences like Politically Damaging, Ballot-Box suicide, Credibility Busting. These are the obvious kinds of collateral damage that Vision-style failures generally bring down on the heads of their promoters in more enlightened areas of democracy that are blessed with a free press, and journalists and opposition politicians worthy of the name. All entirely absent in Wanganui!

Scroll down for evidence of some 2007 campaign lies from Wanganui mayor Michael Laws and a small selection of broken promises and other lies from the 2004 Vision policy manifesto:

WALKING THE TALK

Regarding the new river walkway, Mickey said the following: "The total cost to the ratepayer will be just $800,000. The total budget may be $2.2 million, but $1.4 million of that sum has come from sources other than the Wanganui ratepayer."
The funding for the project includes $1.3 million from Development Contributions and approximately $800,000 loan funded. If you remove the spin, the Mayor has spent $2.1m ($1.3m + $800k) of Council money on the walkway. Council money. Our money.

AND

The financing of the walkway is perhaps the most cynical act perpetrated by M Laws and his Vision muppets since taking office. Development Contributions is a fund that is built up through a levy of $1800 per section paid by anybody who creates a new subdivision. It is set up by all councils to provide funding for future subdivision infrastructure. At 30th April 2007 Council minutes show that the fund had a balance of $1,120,627. I believe that Laws sought a legal opinion on whether he could divert the funds away from the purpose it was supposed to be used for- future subdivisions- and into his pet project. In the agenda preamble council officer Natalie Cowper said" Special Funds are Council's monies that can only be spent on expenditure for which the fund was originally set up. They are termed "restricted equity" according to the Local Government Act 2002. The redirection of these funds is a scandal, and would not happen in any other Council.

MUSEUM MOMENTS

Here's one, from a Chron article by Maslin on 12/6/07: “Mayor Michael Laws told Monday’s meeting that the museum board had cost ratepayers $60,000 because of its ‘intransigence’.”

RATES RORTS

This is a pretty good one about the rates. From the Chronicle 12/6/07 (Maslin, of course): Laws was adamant the rate increase and impact of the levies could not be considered in percentage terms. Cr. McGregor said it was "misleading" to keep the items separate. But Mr Laws said ....”You can’t, because it could then be argued we’ve delivered something like a minus 3% rate”. Mr. Laws said...for the third year in a row Wanganui was on target to effect the lowest annual rates increase in the country

AND …

I'm still trying to find somebody whose rates only went up by 1.7%. Most of the properties in my area had about a 10% increase even before the bullshit levies are added.

CAMPAIGN SLIME
Here’s a nice promise from Wednesday’s Chron. Virginia Lake will be algal bloom-free this summer. “in the short-term, and for a cost of around $20,000, we can ensure Virginia Lake is healthy and algae-free this summer”. That is the sort of promise you can make if you are willing to bypass democratic process completely. So much more efficient to just have a word with Leo and Dave. And why not. The timing’s perfect. Campaign in full swing. All those pesky meetings are over and YOU CAN GET AWAY WITH IT!

A SMALL SELECTION OF BROKEN PROMISES AND OTHER LIES FROM THE 2004 VISION POLICY MANIFESTO:

There will be no rates increase under a Vision Wanganui-led council in the 2005/06 financial year. #failed (oops – they forgot it was a revaluation year)

Create a ‘Residents’ Rights Charter’ that explicitly defines the service standards a ratepayer and/or resident may expect from Council #failed (mayor decided residents should have no rights)

Start discussions with our nearest territorial neighbours to see if some efficiencies cannot be gained from aggregating particular services. #failed (Mayor decided to insult and abuse them instead)

Institute quarterly suburban meetings to ensure that the Mayor and councillors go to their constituents rather than vice-versa #failed (no one turned up after liar-fatigue set in)

Hold a yearly Expo in the War Memorial Hall to canvas the options before Council before each yearly rates round and better inform citizens of the civic services available to them. #failed (Mayor replaced citizen consultation with citizen abuse)

Establish a Writer`s Residency that is regarded as one of the top literary prizes in New Zealand. #failed

Establish a mayoral office on Mainstreet. #failed (councillors & staff said ‘thanks but no thanks’ – too dangerous to actually meet residents.


89 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow! Check out that link to Maslin's brain from 2004 - Mickey obviously had him drinking the magic potion well before the last election despite Mas's denials. In view of the evidence of the last three years it must be taking ever stronger doses to keep him in Mas in his vision zombie state, though, so he continues to dance for Mickey.

Anonymous said...

It's interesting to see Rana Waitai talking in the River City Press about the likelihood of the government handing the DHB over to a commissioner if Mickey starts f--king with it like he has the council. And Rana isn't the only one who is onto this!

Anonymous said...

Surprise surprise – after being Dancing Mickey’s chief cheerleader for the DWTS rort, the Chron hasn’t bothered to mention that he raised only $3346.32 for the Cancer society cf Tim Shadbolt’s $67,435! Translate that sort of dismal support into votes over the next couple of weeks and Mickey’s gonna be making the same sort of exit as he did from his TV farce.

Anonymous said...

Who is Catherine Kennedy that keeps getting mentioned?

Straw pollers are down at the River City Mkt this morning so get down there watchers less we have a warped poll come Monday.

Anonymous said...

Just back in town and catching up. Good idea from John Martin to name the new riverside walkway after Chas.

What say we call the road to the sewage treatment plant Michael Laws Way.

Anonymous said...

What say we call the road to the sewage treatment plant Michael Laws Way.
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Michaeil's Passage?

Anonymous said...

Balloons.
Who was the idiot who put JM's balloons out a week before voting papers were sent out and let Laws mob get the idea and put them out the day papers were received?
The strawpoll at the market is RMA's team. It is in the Chronicle today.

Anonymous said...

What say we call the road to the sewage treatment plant Michael Laws Way.
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I say we name the contents after him. A special plaque could be installed just below the...erm..."waterline".

Anonymous said...

One thing about this election: we have to work hard over the next few weeks to get the vote out.

Laws will be on the back foot on this at least: his opponents are galvanised and determined to defeat him: it's a lot harder to get people excited about preserving the status quo.

Anonymous said...

This, from the Chronicle in June this year, seems worth a mention here.

The headline was: WANGANUI ECONOMY OPEN TO INTERPRETATION -
Laws (disagreeing with BERL report) said “We know house prices rises have been the second highest in the country.”

Anonymous said...

There is an evil genius behind the mayor's campaign because he or she has stolen the ballloon idea, the 'positive wanganui' branding, the website identifications for positivewanganui, changed their hoardings midstream, got involved in all the council openings and promotions and so on.
It wont be Laws because this is professional whiteanting. Do we know who it is?

Anonymous said...

The Double the Debt/Half the vote message and comparative ratepayer debt between 2004 and 2007 from last weeks blog is a really poignant message.
How can this be articulated to the average voter?

Anonymous said...

It wont be Laws because this is professional whiteanting. Do we know who it is?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Without any doubt at all, Murray Hughes - chief Vision Marketing Dick.

Anonymous said...

Well well - look what the Manawatu Standard is saying about Monday's mayoral forum:

Friday, 21 September 2007
Assault claim at mayoral forum

www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/eveningstandard/4210003a6502.html

Police are investigating an alleged assault at a Wanganui mayoral election forum earlier this week after a candidate's mother claimed that a man had hit her several times.


The next day she expected to see the incident reported in the newspaper, but when it wasn't, she telephoned the Chronicle to ask who the man was. She said no one would tell her. Because the blows had been ``quite a bang'' she laid a complaint with Wanganui police and was later told that the man was a member of the Chronicle staff who was now on holiday and that the newspaper proposed to deal with the matter internally.

Anonymous said...

The editor must be wishing she stayed in Southland ... or at least never thought of holding a mayoral forum in Mickeyville ... imagine having to deal with the cops and Mas, not to mention Chandra's redoubtable Mum, while Mickey was screaming at her over the "poll" results etc etc!

Anonymous said...

Reading the Palmerston North story about the Chronicle's mystery man, it's pretty amazing that he thought Chandra's mum was in fact Chandra!

Of course, Mas only has eyes and time for just one candidate, ie M&L Laws, so he could hardly be expected to recognise someone who isn't a Laws, can he?

Anonymous said...

Without any doubt at all, Murray Hughes - chief Vision Marketing Dick.

7:42 PM, September 22, 2007

Then the man is brilliant. Can we get him on our side?

Anonymous said...

Anonymickey said...
Then the man is brilliant. Can we get him on our side?

8:32 AM, September 23, 2007

Actually Mickey he's been "on your side" for three years and has fulfilled the diVision job description to the letter by never having an original idea (except of course the brainwave of giving away a dishwasher and milking it for every drop of publicity, a la his glorious leader). No thanks, you can keep him.

Anonymous said...

The Double the Debt/Half the vote message and comparative ratepayer debt between 2004 and 2007 from last weeks blog is a really poignant message.
How can this be articulated to the average voter?
7:39 PM, September 22, 2007


Why not print a few copies of the image and put them in letterboxes or under windscreen wipers? That image says it all very succinctly.

Anonymous said...

Only ML would rush to the defence of the Chron’s International Man of Mystery even though he says he saw nothing and the paper doesn’t even say who MM is!

But it is kind of sweet the way the two good buddies look out for each other ...

Anonymous said...

Why couldn't the chron just have asked Mickey for a lend of Richard Moore to be enforcer for the forum?

Anonymous said...

Does anyone know anything about the Victorian Athletic League? Could it possibly be another of our Mickey’s pet projects? This is how it appeared in a council statement of the Impact Fund grants for 2007/08.

The Council also increased the recommended grant of $10,000 towards establishing the Victorian Athletic League franchise in Wanganui, to the requested $21,000.
"Council considered that the concept has potential but that we were dooming it to under-performance if we underfunded the inaugural event," said Mayor Michael Laws.

The bugger is reaching into our pockets from his political grave!

Anonymous said...

Looks like the raids on the council piggybank are becoming more frequent doesn’t it. 20K for Virginia Lake, 21K for another athletics flight of fancy and that same Impact funding round granted him 5K “towards commissioning the Peter Snell statue”. (Just how will that bring economic gain to the city?)

He must realize that his time for is running out for pulling this sort of stuff and he’s going for a sprint finish.

Anonymous said...

Poor Mickey – reduced to confessing ruefully in the Sunday paper that his mid-20s sex life didn’t include any of the heroic acts that landed cop Rickards in the dock. Does that help explain the chip on his shoulder, especially of the misogynist variety.

But it’s also interesting to read in the New Zealand Herald what makes a man kill his wife, bung her body in the boot and then abandon his 3-year-old daughter? According to the Herald it’s because he has “narcissistic personality disorder” which is … “characterised by a grandiose sense of self-importance. Individuals with the disorder lack empathy others but need constant admiration from them. Other signs and symptoms can include fantasies about having exceptional power, attractiveness or success; a sense of belonging to an exclusive group of people who truly understand each other; the need for constant praise; expectations of special treatment; exploitation of other people; haughty or arrogant behaviour.”

Anonymous said...

From Lawswatch: “Establish a mayoral office on Mainstreet. #failed (councillors & staff said ‘thanks but no thanks’ – too dangerous to actually meet residents.”

UNTRUE! Get your facts right LawsWatch, he HAS opened a mayoral office right there in Vic Ave. What a guy! What a mayor! What a crook!

Anonymous said...

Does anyone seriously believe that Laws will win?

This is an election that is already over and the Chronicle poll has previewed the outcome - Martin 60%, Laws 39%, Others 1%.

To John Martin: a classy campaign and Laws is already privately conceding that he has lost according to council staff. He is clearing out his office already.

Congratulations John Martin!!!!!!

9:20 PM, September 21, 2007
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Chronicle Poll? Yeah right, they asked a few Martin supporters.
ML will win. ML has won. Get a life LW

Anonymous said...

I've found that my opposition to Laws, while it's appreciated at a political level, is not the best topic of conversation among friends. It's the old saying about religion and politics. So I try to avoid bringing the subject of the loony to the table. What I find interesting is how many people start slagging the guy unprompted. One such case occured this afternoon. I met someone who's community group approached worthless Mickey to open their event. These people, up until that point, had clearly been duped. His reply? "I'd rather watch Tv."

Hey, Vision team, ever get the feeling you've been swindled?

Anonymous said...

"I'm still trying to find somebody whose rates only went up by 1.7%. Most of the properties in my area had about a 10% increase even before the bullshit levies are added."

I think I just figured this scummy lie out. Remember the "nil rates increase" which became the "nil rates take increase"? Course you do. During "the great shame" (Mickey's tenure) Wanganui's population has decreased. What's more, the rate of decrease, which had slowed under Chas, has increased under Mickey. The "1.7%" rates increase will be measured in rates take, not by individual. With less people to pay the final amount...

All together now: what an arsehole.

Anonymous said...

I met someone who's community group approached worthless Mickey to open their event. These people, up until that point, had clearly been duped. His reply? "I'd rather watch Tv."
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And his snub of Jock Hobbs has not been forgotten in rugby circles.

Anonymous said...

Even the IHC people have good reason to vote the arrogant little twerp out, after he started his reign three years ago by failing to show up for their Christmas prize-giving.

Anonymous said...

Does he really think the waterfront electioneering stunt will erase memories in primary schools of his war on kids with peanut allergies – not likely, Vision!

Anonymous said...

Just in case there is anyone still unaware of our mayor’s treatment of his constituents, Jo and Matt Boult, who sent him a long, polite explanatory email in response to a SST column rant about children with peanut allergies, here is Laws’ response:

”Then don't send your kids to school then. Where they inconvenience all others because its your kids with the problem. To impose your children's affliction upon others shows the immaturity and selfishness of people such
as yourself. Next you'll be wanting to ban their contact with peanut-eating sporting youngsters, Cub leaders & the like.”

To which Mrs. Boult answered:

”I am also telling everyone and anyone about your reply- the disgust so far is immense- arent you the mayor of Wanganui? I feel you have lost a lot of votes as I for one used to think you werent such a bad guy- but now my opinion on that has totally changed.”

And Laws replied:

You're a fascist idiot.

Of course Mickey is going to lose the election. He has been trashing Wanganui, its institutions and its people since we elected him. He has been thorough. There are very few people left who are stupid, or out of touch enough to vote for him.

Anonymous said...

Of course Mickey is going to lose the election. He has been trashing Wanganui, its institutions and its people since we elected him. He has been thorough. There are very few people left who are stupid, or out of touch enough to vote for him.

10:29 PM, September 23, 2007


***
and then theres those of us who think he has done a great job in wanganui over the past 3 years and will definitely vote for him rather than go back to the doldrums wanganui was in

Anonymous said...

The poll this morning in the Chronicle - what will John now do for a job after the election?

Anonymous said...

the doldrums wanganui was in
__________________________________

Do you believe your own bullshit? Under that worthless loon more people are leaving Wanganui than ever. Mickey is a trainwreck in progress.

Does anyone believe the poll results Mas is parroting in the Chron? Let's face it, if they were bad news for Mickey he'd lie about it. His capacity for deceit knows no bounds.

Anonymous said...

So the Chomicle tells the cops that the "perp" who gave Ms Osborne the bash on Monday night is on holiday.

Mas continues to have his name on at least one Mickey press release each issue.

Does this tell us that Mas's REAL DAY JOB is as Mickey's Mouthpiece then because he's certainly not on holiday there?

Wonder if Mrs Osborne actually believes the bullshit she's being served up.

Anonymous said...

and then theres those of us who think he has done a great job in wanganui over the past 3 years and will definitely vote for him rather than go back to the doldrums wanganui was in
--------------------------
Actually, so far the place has managed to survive despite the job he's done to it. Whether it can survive another three years of him is another matter. There's a lot of expectation out there that things will change for the better, but getting rid of him was never going to be easy. Most of the contributors here move in the circles where he's almost universally loathed for the damage that he's caused (or tried to). But there's still a sizeable group out there that think he's great. They haven't been personally affected and that's what it would take for them to wake up.

Anonymous said...

Whoever thought Warburton could keep his finger in the mayoral press release dyke till after the election got it WRONG! Mickey's back slagging off councillors on the council website, so looks like the doctor took his Mickey love potion this morning.

Anonymous said...

and then theres those of us who think he has done a great job in wanganui over the past 3 years and will definitely vote for him rather than go back to the doldrums wanganui was in

6:05 AM, September 24, 2007
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Thanks, Catherine, sweetie - at times like these you need all your real estate flogging skills.

ie old tired tumbledown party, been used as a gang house and full of lies and bullshit. Your chance to save this political dog from certain demolition. Open Home on October 13.

Anonymous said...

....he has done a great job in wanganui over the past 3 years...

Let me get this straight. You think a Mayor who calls a constituent, who has patiently tried to explain the needs of her extremely vulnerable child to him, a fascist idiot is doing a “great job”??

No dear, it is not the Mayor’s job to belittle/demean/insult his constituents or his city. If there is one think Michael Laws is NOT doing, it is a great job.

Anonymous said...

I notice Laws has not released the Copy of the Questionnaire, or the Data Tables on his "show all" poll results.

I wonder why with leading Q's like: "Wanganui’s Council has had a strong ‘Vision Wanganui’ team involved with its leadership these past 3 years. What kind of influence do you think they have had?"

Anonymous said...

A Ross Mitchell-Anyon employing art students poll of the riverside market does not a poll make.

You are going to lose and that is because you do not know Wanganui.

Anonymous said...

Mickey the poll rigger says ...
... does not a poll make


That's because the essential ingredients for a kosher poll in Mickey's corrupt world are:

1. Antoinette Beck
2. John Maslin
3. A tame polling company that can be bullied into such shonky practices as titling their poll a "Wanganui District Council" exercise and stepping into push polling for Mickey by talking about "a strong vision wanganui team".

For a company that seems to set some store by industry standards and MRSNZ accreditation, one hopes they're prepared for the shit to hit the fan when the complaints roll in. Wonder if they charged Mickey danger money for being willing to jump into the sewerage pond with him on this one?

Anyway, whatever happened to the mayoress's mates who did the shonky community survey poll for Vision? One presumes they're finding it hard to scrape the shit off their shoes.

Anonymous said...

On 26 August 2007 I wrote to the Wanganui District Council asking under what authority the council had imposed levies for water softening and storm damage.
The Council's chief financial officer has formally replied that the levies are in fact RATES set under the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002.

This fact makes an absolute nonsense of the claim that Wanganui rates have increased by only 1.7%.
With the levies and other add-ons, my own rates have increased by over 13%. This is equal to the rates increase in New Plymouth, which has the highest district rates increase in the country.

There has been so much self-congratulating over the supposedly low rates increases in Wanganui, I should have guessed that smoke and mirrors were involved.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

"Wanganui’s Council has had a strong ‘Vision Wanganui’ team involved with its leadership these past 3 years. What kind of influence do you think they have had?"
3:45 PM, September 24, 2007

If this is, indeed one of the questions, it is push polling at its pushiest and Versus Research should change their name because what they are doing has nothing to do with research.

Anonymous said...

Wonder if Mrs Osborne actually believes the bullshit she's being served up.
---------------
Wonder if Mrs Osbourne was actually tapped on the shoulder and asked to pipe down so people could hear the speakers. Let's keep things in perspective. Little bit of exposure for her daughter's fruitless campign... against a paper her daughter currently has an issue with.

Yes Mickey is a wanker but lets not give in to hysteria.

Anonymous said...

and then theres those of us who think he has done a great job in wanganui over the past 3 years and will definitely vote for him rather than go back to the doldrums wanganui was in

6:05 AM, September 24, 2007
____________________________________

So my question to you is, if you think Mickey has done such a great job in taking us out of the doldrums, what do you think the $70 odd million debt Wanganui is now in is going to do for us in the near future?

My view is in the near future Wanganui is in for a huge rate rise.
How is this huge $70m debt going to be repaid if this doesn't happen?

The sooner Mickey goes the better, quite frankly Mickey's financial thinking is seriously flawed and Wanganui is going to pay dearly for this in the near future.

Anonymous said...

This debt thing. I read the council's explanation (Harkness not the mayor - the finance manager) that the debt has not risen but that the counting had.

That the last council did not factor everything required by law and this council has. I find it hard to believe that council officers would publicly lie.

Anonymous said...

Anon at 11:03. You are wasting your time arguing with this moron. Any attempt to discuss or debate with Mickey or his followers is a waste of life.

Anonymous said...

I find it hard to believe that council officers would publicly lie.
___________________________________

We're not accusing Council officers of lying. But Michael Laws? He's lied grotesquely and continuously since he took office. It's a perfect express of everything he represents, cf: narcissistic personality disorder.

Anonymous said...

From Wikipedia, the free on-line encyclopedia:

"Smoke and mirrors is a metaphor for a deceptive, fraudulent or insubstantial explanation or description. The source of the name is based on magicians' illusions, where magicians use smoke and mirrors to accomplish illusions such as making objects disappear, when they really don't disappear at all.

More generally, "smoke and mirrors" may refer to any sort of presentation by which the audience is intended to be deceived, such as an attempt to fool a prospective client into thinking that one has capabilities necessary to deliver a product in question."
________________________________
IS WIKIPEDIA WRITTEN BY SOMEBODY IN WANGANUI? THEY HAVE PERFECTLY DESCRIBED THE ML & VISION MODUS OPERANDI!

Anonymous said...

This is funny, and a case in point:

Found at Laws' web site:

Press Release 25/09/07
"COUNCILLORS BACK MAYOR: MEETING WAS ALWAYS AN OPTION"

"Vision Wanganui councillors unanimously endorsed the actions of Mayor Michael Laws ..."
"For further comment:

Deputy Mayor Dot McKinnon
Cr Murray Hughes
Cr Philippa Baker-Hogan
Cr Nicki Higgie
Cr Marty Lindsay"

However, if you look to the Vision web site, where you would expect this, it's no where to be seen.
So the question begs, did the Mayor seek permission from his flock to write this dribble, or will they be notified of their support by email?

Anonymous said...

What is going on at the Chronicle? Has Kirsty (the editor) finally seen the light? She's written an Editorial mocking of the Mayor...then in the same issue, there's some John Maslin bullshit about the 'emergency' and deteriorating state of the lake.

Is John Maslin unbelievably stupid? Or just totally corrupt? Or both. It's sickening.

Anonymous said...

its nice to see someone at the Chronic has finally grown some nuts - to be a fly on the wall watching mickey read that - priceless

Anonymous said...

Stop Press!!!

Mayorissimo Laws today adopted emergency powers and invaded Ruapehu District "to combat the emergency threat of Ruapehu Lahars inundating Virginia Lake." Herr Laws, fresh from his emergency morning botox, went on to say that "those idiots in Raetihi can't be trusted to use this event to promote me properly. They are all liars and should resign."

However, in an emergency development, computer models are showing that the lahars may miss Virginia Lake altogether, and in fact pass through Porrit St. like a yellow putrescence with no discernable solid material.

Anonymous said...

Does anyone know the results of Ross M-A's poll. I heard something on the radio news but it did not give any details.

Anonymous said...

Wanganui Mayor Michael Laws today declared a state of emergency and made a unilateral decision to bring out the Council’s Eisengruppen shocktroops to shut down the subversive, dangerous, irresponsible Chronicle newspaper.

They barricaded the building to prevent any copies of the issue bearing an editorial critical of the regime being distributed.
"This gutter press is indulging in the worst kind of partisan politics. It is obviously run by a cabal of decadent and subhuman jews, gypsies and homosexuals. It is not only wrong, it is an example of the negative nay-saying that has kept Wanganui back for so long".

However, the UberMayor said he had recognized the fine Aryan qualities of Lieutenant Maslin and had decorated him with the Iron Cross in recognition of his heroic resistance against he forces of resistance to the regime.
"The actions of the others can only be condemned as the worst kind of politicking. It is dishonest, and Wanganui people will see through such negative and nit-picking tactics. We want a restored Vision regime – not this kind of silly nonsense."

And for those nay-sayers who will no doubt accuse me of acting anti-democratically, I say to them: “F—k off! This was obviously a matter of the utmost urgency. Nothing less than my election chances were at stake so of course I wasn’t about to consult with a bunch of namby pamby councilors. There’s no room for them or their fellow dissidents and democracy activists in my glorious Second Reich!”

Anonymous said...

the results of Ross M-A's poll.
___________________________________

The results show John Martin in the lead by a substantial margin
(16.5%) with 55%, followed by the current Mayor with 38.5% and all 3 other candidates polling less than 3% each.

They canvassed 400, which by my calculations gives a margin of error of 4.88% assuming a random sample and neutral questions.

If John Martin wins let's have a champagne breakfast on Porrit St. (if you can stomach the stench of shit coming from Michael Laws, that is.)

Anonymous said...

Watch out Laws Watch:
25 September 2007

MEDIA RELEASE:
“Over the past three years, fringe arts activists have personally attacked myself, my partner and my family through anonymous blogs, rumour and innuendo."

"Mr Laws said that he would have “no hesitation taking legal action, including an act for defamation, against the perpetrators."

I am in hysterics - the wee man is throwing his toys and wants to call in his Lawyers - oh, so cute.

Sorry mate, I'm no artist (not nearly the required skill level) but I am enjoying your humiliation.

Laws having 2yr old tantrum - priceless

Anonymous said...

Brilliant ad on page 7 of the Chronicle from Allan Anderson - we need more truth tellers in this town. He's got my vote for both DHB amd council.

Anonymous said...

Especially for Anon 12.07 25.9.07-you doubt Council officers have or would lie - really - watch this space - the Wanganui District Council is in trouble for exactly that - with the Ombudsman and the Privacy Commission .

Anonymous said...

Mickey says he's happy to debate policy. Ok then Mickey, why do you tell so many lies, and what steps have you taken to obtain access to the voter returns before they get processed?

Anonymous said...

Would somebody please post a list of links to defamatory comments about Michael Laws so that we can all join in?

Anonymous said...

Was talking to some Laws supporters who were oblivious to his lies, put them onto LW and they could not believe it, they were naively surprised that the Chron has not reported this as news. They are now NOT Laws supporters and are adament that they will spread the word, feeling really let down, they were.....

Anonymous said...

Oh diddums - poor Mickey. He should thank his lucky stars he's not in Christchurch. To see what they do to wannabe mayors who tells porkies down there, go to youtube.com and search for "bob parker" christchurch.

Enjoy!

Anonymous said...

Was talking to some Laws supporters who were oblivious to his lies, put them onto LW and they could not believe it, they were naively surprised that the Chron has not reported this as news. They are now NOT Laws supporters and are adament that they will spread the word, feeling really let down, they were.....

4:54 PM, September 26, 2007

You poor sad people. Will you leave town when ML wins? PLEASE.

Anonymous said...

“Over the past three years, fringe arts activists have personally attacked myself, my partner and my family through anonymous blogs, rumour and innuendo."

"Mr Laws said that he would have “no hesitation taking legal action, including an act for defamation, against the perpetrators."
__________________________________

That's right, Mickey, you hate freedom of speech, other people's freedom of speech that is, but when you want to advocate one of your heinous fantasy policies like forcible sterilisation, it's ok to tell lies about crime statistics to fuel your argument. You whip up fear and hysteria with lies then demand respect, and for this you deserve nothing but contempt. You take rates dollars and use them to prop up your flaccid ego then complain when protest erupts around you. You abuse, like the dog returning to its faeces, verbally incontinent, then blanche at the anger you generate. Poor wilting poppy Michael. Defamation? How would it be possible to defame a character as rotten as yours?

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Was talking to some Laws supporters who were oblivious to his lies, put them onto LW and they could not believe it, they were naively surprised that the Chron has not reported this as news. They are now NOT Laws supporters and are adament that they will spread the word, feeling really let down, they were.....

4:54 PM, September 26, 2007

You poor sad people. Will you leave town when ML wins? PLEASE

-------------

hah, hah, hah, you walked into that one you sycophant, or you moron as your boss would say, tick tock tick tock.......bye bye

Anonymous said...

Can we elevate the tone, please.

The opinion polls are going to have a fourth entrant tomorrow according to the Chronicle who have spent their own money to find out what people think (or don't).

Who is Curia Research Limited? Google them and they are National Party blogger David Farrar.

Anonymous said...

No need to buy the Chronicle tomorrow to find out mayoral poll results. If National Party psychophant David Farrar's polling co. is doing it the results will have Laws as winning. When there are still some reputable polling co's left why has the Chron. chosen Curia Reasearch. Could it be that when you need/want a certain result you go to those who will deliver? He who pays the piper calls the tune.
Oxford Dictionary- Curia-n. the papal court at the Vatican, by which the Catholic Church is governed. Interesting huh? Ever read the da Vinci Code?

Anonymous said...

Can we elevate the tone, please.
___________________________________

How can we discuss Mickey if we elevate the tone? He's the rotting corpse in the corner, the dead dog around Wanganui's neck. It's rather hard to make comment on the behaviour of gutter scum and keep the tone up, old chap.

Anonymous said...

The Chronicle poll - the goss is JM by a mile.

Anonymous said...

Farrar is an honorary life member of the Young Nationals, due to his many years of service to the organisation.

He survived some media calls for his resignation as National Secretary when he was arrested for his part in a joke press release, along with fellow Young National Michael P Moore, announcing that maverick National MP Michael Laws had been assassinated and that the Prime Minister was one of over 10,000 suspects. The joke press release was made with the New Zealand Police logo and he was subsequently arrested, although was not convicted of any crime as he chose to participate in a diversion scheme for first time offenders of minor crime. The infamous fax and related media items are now displayed at the Backbencher Bar on Molesworth Street in Wellington.

Anonymous said...

I agree with the last comment. Farrar is no fan of Laws and publicly detests him on his website which makes him a strange choice for the Chronicle for another reason. Or is Kirsty our true fifth columnist??

Anonymous said...

Is it true the mayoress is hiding in Honkers? No doubt she's finding politics in the People's Republic of China, where The Party rules, more to her taste.

Anonymous said...

Who did the Chronicle poll?

Curia Market Research - about us

Curia Market Research is based in Wellington and was established in early 2004. Its principal is David Farrar.


David, a member of the Market Research Society of New Zealand, has over ten years experience in all aspects of polling. He has managed everything from question design to results analysis for over 200 polls, including a significant number for recent New Zealand Prime Ministers.


Curia currently employs 38 staff. We provide a friendly work environment and have an experienced team. We pay above market rates and have low staff turnover.


Curia currently has capacity to undertake over 2,000 call minutes per evening, allowing most polls to be completed in two to three nights.


Curia’s rates are very competitive. We have an indicative pricing schedule which we are happy to provide on request, showing likely costs based on the desired number of questions and responses

Anonymous said...

Ya know Mickey, my daughter said to me tonight, " Never trust a man who wears more make up than I do"

I think that sums up.

No vote there, and no vote from me, but then we didn't vote for you last time.

Anonymous said...

Nice advert buddy - now spill the beans on the poll results...!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Laws 46
Martin 28
Dahya 4

Three more years,boys,three more years (with apologies to George Gregan)

Anonymous said...

Watchers reporting from the streets, supermarkets and cafes of the River City are seeing an overwhelming swing in voter opinion against Wanganui Mayor Michael Laws and his Vision Wanganui henchmen.

***********************************

Really?? Has it not permeated through to the average voter then?

Anonymous said...

The Chronicle poll - the goss is JM by a mile.

2:41 PM, September 27, 2007



good goss!

Anonymous said...

The Chronicle poll - the goss is JM by a mile.
_________________________________

Ah, another lie. Lies are a perfect expression of everything Michael Laws represents, so it comes as no surprise that this election campaign is full of them.

Anonymous said...

The Chron poll appears to indicate that Michael Laws has been very successful in conning a majority of Wanganui residents through his trickery and unrestrained use of public funds. His approach to democracy is based on maintaining the popularity of his party and himself by offering a smorgesbord of toys and tricks for the public to choose from under a so called democratic public referendum. The majority of idiots who think we can actually afford these annual lolly scrambles play Michaels game and pick a nice big expensive project for Michael to boost his popularity and ego on.
Let's see something in the next referendum to stop these lolly-scramble politics continuing. Wanganui is on the verge of bankruptcy. One quarter of the annual rates take will soon be needed to service debt - even before the principle starts being repaid.
Some tough decisions will need to be made and Michael and his "good ole boys" in the Vision party haven't got a friggin' clue.

Anonymous said...

7 percent said it was either "fairly likely" or "very likely" they would change their voting preference between now and when the vote ... and 10.1% were unsure if they would while 1.1% refused to answer.



And in the "who would you vote for" question the "don't knows" and "refused to answer" totalled over 20%.

The fat lady ain't sung yet!

Anonymous said...

With 21% in the undeclared or don't know category, and a 4.1% margin of error, there is plenty of room for JM to boost his support. That's assuming Curia's poll is striaght. 81% of the respondents had already voted, which suggests a relatively politically active sample.

Laws has no policy to reverse the accelerating population decline - he will exacerbate it if anything. As Vision rack up more debt many things here will become unaffordable. Some, like the Sarjeant Gallery, will receive support from central government. Others will not. Michael's various follies will hurt his supporters most, when they shut down from economic unviability. When the boardwalk is closed because it's covered in stinking mud, and there's no money to clean it again. When the Splash Centre running costs increase beyond Wanganui's means. When there's no money in the subdivision kitty and the creditors come knocking.

If Laws wins - as the poll suggests he will - hope that he leads a Vision minority.

Anonymous said...

with apologies to George Gregan
__________________________________

That yapping little dog is your role model then, is he?

Anonymous said...

These numbers are screwy cos we know that in the last elections about 66% vote and yet this gives 83% will vote - add that to the like and may vote and this is quite out of kilter with reality. Unless Wanganui is motivated to vote this time and that is usually generated by a desire for change!

Anonymous said...

re River City Press and Chandra advert. What happened at the Miss Wanganui Pageant?