UPDATE ON SAVE THE POINT / THE TRUE COST TO THE RATEPAYERS

THE TRUE COST OF THE MARINE EDUCATION CENTRE

1999 $75,000 Feasibility study

2004 $120,000 Annual Plan towards the cost of preparation pre-construction phases/documents for the proposed visitor attraction and educational facility.

2005/6 $360,000 Complete the pre-construction phase

2005/6 May $200,000 Second hearing and Environment Court costs

Total $ 755,000

This doesn't include time of council officers since 1999 till now / plus consultants and legal advice, as well as paying for the following reports
Maunsell Report
Stafford Report
Greenstone Report
KPMG

I'm picking this has cost the ratepayers over 1.5 million dollars so far.


This does not include the $7 million non-recourse loan towards building MEC

Opponents have had to meet legal and experts' costs of over $200,000 plus time of the core of volunteers and expert witnesses who gave their time, etc gratis.

All this is a consequence of Council failing to discuss with the community alternative sites for the proposal. Both the Environment Court and the Commissioners at the resource consent hearings noted that the whole site selection process was faulty and that other sites were available.

ROCK THE VOTE WELLINGTON

While 90 percent of eligible Wellington City voters have enrolled to vote and will be receiving their voting papers, approximately 16,000 eligible voters are not enrolled. Of these people, about 8000 are aged 18-24, accounting for the largest portion of unregistered voters.
"Although electoral rolls have now closed, people can still enrol to vote. However, they will need to request special voting papers and should contact me if they want to cast a special vote," Mr Bly says.
"The last date to enrol is Friday 12 October. I would encourage anyone who has not yet registered to do so and cast a special vote. It's their opportunity to have a say on how the city is run over the next three years."
Electoral roll enrolment forms are available from the main Council building, libraries or PostShops. People can also call 0800 ENROL NOW (0800 36 76 56) or visit http://www.elections.org.nz/. People can check and update their enrolment details and enrol online.

SAVE THE POINT HAS WON IN THE ENVIRONMENT COURT / DEVELOPERS WON'T BE GETTING TE RAE KAI HAU POINT

We Won

In 2000 I began one of my longest political battles . Yesterday it finished in the Environment Court with a ruling that the South Coast is not an appropriate place for an Aquarium. In that time I was supported only by Cr David Zwartz. In 2004 I was joined by Cr Jack Ruben in my opposition. This proposal divided the community.

While the political battle was raging and we were overwhelmed by a developer friendly Council, Save Te Rae Kai Hau Point was formed. It was this group that in the end won the day. Special thanks to Nick Dryden and friends for raising substantial amounts of money to fund this case. Please continue to give to this cause as the bills are still coming in.

Cheers

Bryan Pepperell

BRYAN PEPPERELL'S SECRET WEAPON

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6mHBVKbTMM

You can see more about Bryan Pepperell on www.myspace.com/pepptalk

www.youtube.com/bryanpepperell

www.facebook.com

SWITCHING THE RATES FROM BUSINESS TO RESIDENTS/ ELECTION WARNING WELLINGTON

AMENDMENT TO WELLINGTON CITY COUNCIL'S
LONG TERM COUNCIL COMMUNITY PLAN 2006/07 15/16
SECTION THREE
AMENDMENT TO THE REVENUE AND FINANCING POLICY
Rates Differential
In 2000 the Council voted to alter the rates differential (the rates split) that decides the share of general rates paid by residents and businesses. The LTCCP proposed that over a 10 year period the balance will shift from a point where the commercial sector contributed 7.0 times more general rate (for a property of the same value) to a stage where they will end up contributing 2.8 times more general rate than the residential ratepayer by 2009/10.

The council believes it is appropriate to spread the impact of activity funding changes and that a smooth transition towards the 2.8:1 ratio continues, while also taking into account the annual impact of the differential shift on individual ratepayers.

To achieve this the Council has amended the differential transition by restating the 2007/08 general rate differential from 3.8:1 as originally proposed in the LTCCP to 4.2:1 and pushed out the timeline over which the 2.8:1 differential target will be achieved from 2009/10 to 2011/12 as follows:

2007/08- 2008/09- 2009/10 -2010/11- 2011/12
4.20:1 - - -3.80:1 -- -3.45:1 -- -3.10:1 -- 2.80:1

Dompost and Chamber of Commerce in pact against Pepperell's vision of a people friendly City

It was no surprise to read my reply to Charles Finny, Wellington Chamber of Commerce and others, in the 'points noted' section of today's (11 Sep) Dompost letters to the editor. It just so happened that his was also there. We can only surmise what the issue was with both parties. If we are to believe Finny, who is the chief spin doctor for Chamber of Commerce, the Dompost has been engaging in a bit of spin regarding an exchange between the Mr Finny and myself.

The real issue is an old battle between rich and poor. Charles Finny should be careful or he will be labelled the representative of the rich, who will do anything for the poor except get off their backs. For some time I have been saying New Zealand has the reputation of being the most business friendly country in the world. That was recognised by the World Bank and reported in the New York Times.

The obsession with money and business friendliness has done nothing to solve our pressing social problems or make us a safer society. What we now want is to become the most people friendly country in the world. Neither the Dompost nor Chamber of Commerce find this appealing. It is the most important issue in my Mayoral Campaign. Everything positive flows from this. I want Wellington to be known as the most people friendly capital in the world. It is not a new value as we have experienced such an ethos in our past. I have a living memory of better times, not a golden age but a more courteous and selfless society.
Cheers
Bryan Pepperell
Authorised by Bryan Pepperell
37 Havelock Street
Mornington
Wellington

What happened to Kerry's Ice-Skating Rink?

Mayor Welcomes Decision on Ice Skating Rink 09.12.04


Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast today welcomed the approval of a resource consent for the construction of an indoor ice skating rink and indoor bowling alley in Newtown.

The decision of the independent commissioners was released today. The ice rink and the 20-lane indoor bowling alley is to be built in the upper car park at the National Schools of Dance and Drama off Taranaki Street. The commissioners, in their decision, said the proposal had considerable merit.

Mayor Prendergast is delighted with the decision.

Another broken promise?

Wellington Voters

Wellington Voters - a reality check:

Now... fewer services, higher rates.
Now...greater future debt,

Is this what YOU want?

Bryan Pepperell for Mayor will mean:

Service you can count on.
People over Profit and shared benefits
REAL planning for the Future

Easy isn't it?
Vote Bryan Pepperell for Mayor October 13th

Mayor Pepp...your next step!

Authorised by Bryan Pepperell

37 Havelock Street

Wgtn

Mayor Pepp..Your next step

Bryan Pepperel

Do you want a better Wellington?
Less congestion?
Easier to travel at Peak times?
Smaller Carbon Footprint?

Vote Bryan Pepperell for Mayor October 13th

Mayor Pepp.. your next step!

Authorised by Bryan Pepperell

37 Havelock Street

wgtn

Peter Sharpe has a problem with Chamber of Commerce

If Mr. Finny is to be believed - "The Chamber does not intend to endorse a particular candidate or group of candidates."-
He is apparently either telling lies.... or incredibly stupid. Wellington Ratepayers are NOT!
By naming Councillors who share the 'Right of Centre' views (to use the Politically Correct jargon) the Chamber of Commerce purports, he is effectively endorsing those candidates.

Wellington will continue to be a good place to do business. This can only be further enhanced if it's Ratepayers are able to afford the Goods and Services hawked by the Chamber's members. Should the Residential Ratepayer be cripppled by continued unjustified Rates increases, they will not.

Perhaps it is time to remind Messers Finny, et.al, residential ratepayers are unable to claim their rates burden as a business expense. In addition, the last time I looked my home had one (1) toilet not several hundred as enjoyed by the larger Hotels and tourist 'Meccas' the current Council seems hell-bent on supporting - at all cost! Why should I subsidise these businesses? - Simply...I should NOT!

My heart bleeds for the likes of the Chamber's members. They have enjoyed a charmed life, with their every whim entertained by the current Mayor and her right-wing cronies, at the expense of Wellington's Residents. Have a look at the balloning debt forecast to hit Ratepayers during the next 5-10 years.

More Residential Ratepayer services have been cut during the current Mayor's reign than ever before!
It's about time Wellington's residential Ratepayers had a fair go.

The Council is there to collect Rates and provide services to the Ratepayer. Not to collect Rates and set-up as a Venture Capital Bank pandering to big business, issuing interest - free loans to private developers. The proposed Marine Centre is a case in point.

Any Mayoral candidate wishing to moderate the slithering slide started during the current encumbent's reign is worth supporting.

Peter Sharpe

Chamber Responds to Criticisms from Bryan Pepperell on Mayoral Candidate Survey

The Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce is disappointed with Mayoral candidate Bryan Pepperell’s reaction to media reports on the results of its survey of candidates.

“The Chamber does not intend to endorse a particular candidate or group of candidates. It wants to support a set of sound policies which will enhance the local business environment. This is made clear in our media statement,” said Chamber CEO Charles Finny.

“The survey was designed to explore candidates’ views on key actions and policies which we believe will enhance Wellington as a good city to do business in.

“Some candidates’ responses are closer to our views as to what these policies and actions are. Respondents were given the Chamber’s policy manifesto as guidance.

“The survey results are on our website for all to see and judge and we look forward to hearing candidates elaborate on their views to a business audience at a Chamber hosted candidates forum on 12 September.

“We don’t accept Mr Pepperell’s view that the tax deductibility of rates and the potential for them to be passed on make higher rates for business acceptable. This argument has also been dismissed by the recent Local Government Rates Inquiry.

“Mr Pepperell also accuses the Chamber of ducking for cover on climate change and peak oil. The Chamber has been active in these areas globally, nationally and regionally and I am happy to debate them with Mr Pepperell any time. We want policies in place that are actually going to make a difference to this global problem as opposed to a response targeted at short term political expediency.

We are pleased that Mr Pepperell is not anti-business as he states in his response. We wish him well in the campaign and encourage him to articulate and expound business friendly policies. A vibrant business community is crucial for a strong and prosperous economy,” Mr Finny concluded.

The candidates’ full responses and the Chamber’s commentary are available on the Chamber website http://www.wellingtonchamber.co.nz/default.asp?sectionID=312

Chamber Of Commerce Mayoral Survey for 2007 Wellington City Council Election

F Y I
Bryan Pepperell's response to the Chamber of Commerce is in red.

Only four out of 11 candidates for the Wellington mayoralty have an acceptable outlook for business, Wellington Chamber of Commerce chief executive Charles Finny says.

Mr Pepperell Responds - Mr Finny should not have published this survey before we had a chance to speak to them as candidates at their forum on Wednesday the 12th of September. Mr Finny has been selective in his response and ducked for cover on the crucial issues of Climate Change and Peak Oil.

Responses to a survey by the Chamber of Wellington's mayoral hopefuls on their views on the business community and business policy for council were encouraging but sorted the pack, Mr Finny said. "There seem to be two groups."
He said four of the nine respondents to the survey had views in line with the Chamber of Commerce - councillors Ray Ahipene-Mercer and Rob Goulden, incumbent mayor Kerry Prendergast, and restaurateur John McGrath.

Pepperell responds - Mr Finny has divided Mayoral candidates into two camps, those for and those against. It would have been better to allow the Chamber to make up its own mind from the results of the survey and the candidates' speeches.

The rest had a variety of views with regard to business, but the business community would have a "tough ride" under their suggested policies, Mr Finny said.
"They seem to be operating under a different paradigm (from the business community)."
Three candidates - Jack Ruben, Paul Bailey and Carl Gifford - did not reply to the survey.
Most respondents were united in their view of strengthening the city infrastructure, including roading, public transport and broadband access.
The issue of the rating differential policy, whereby businesses pay more rates than residents - was a key one, and views were divided.
Businesses pay 4.2 times more in rates than home owners, and the council has been decreasing it incrementally every year.
Councillors Bryan Pepperell and Helen Ritchie said the differential should stay because businesses could afford to pay and rates were tax-deductible.
"Wellington City is a wealthy city and it does not have the look of a city with businesses struggling," Ms Ritchie said.
Nick Kelly - the socialist candidate picked by Mr Finny as the least business-friendly of the respondents - was more blunt, saying business rates should stay the same, and "working people" should pay no rates at all.

Pepperell responds - Mr Finny selectively quotes from the survey with his own spin. Viable businesses pass on their rates and deduct them. Rates for business are a lot lower than they were in 1996 when I was first elected to Council. At that time I said that rate increases were driven by spending and the sale of Council owned assets such as Capital Power. The Chamber supported the sale of Council owned assets and in doing this it has supported the cost of running the city by rates alone.

Some of Mr Kelly's responses were contradictory, calling for the overthrow of the "capitalist class" while also saying that infrastructure improvements to schools, hospitals, roading and public housing needed to "be paid for by the capitalist class".
He also said he would accept only the "average workers' wage" if elected mayor, which would amount to a pay cut of about a $100,000.
Mr Finny said all but one respondent appreciated that a vibrant business community was needed in Wellington, but most of them were not particularly focused on helping that happen.
Rather than describe specific initiatives to ensure a business- friendly environment, Mr Pepperell simply said he wanted a "people-friendly" environment.

Pepperell responds. Mr Finny has a very narrow view of the social and economic landscape of Wellington. He has failed to understand the economic value of a people friendly city. Might I remind Mr Finny that the World Bank ranked New Zealand as the most business friendly country in the world. It is time for us to become the most people friendly country in the world.

Mr Finny said it was disappointing more business people had not decided to step into the mayoral race, but said the fact Ms Prendergast was standing again had probably put some people off.
Ms Prendergast's replies were mostly in line with current council policy and she emphasised the need to support the newly formed Wellington Regional Strategy.
Mr Finny said it was of concern that three candidates did not have the time or inclination to respond to the survey, especially since they were asking to be voted into a job that required a great deal of commitment in time and energy.
"If you are going to be mayor you have to throw everything at it."
The survey outlined some positive options for mayor, but the weighting toward candidates who were not business-focused meant it was crucial for business owners to get out and vote, Mr Finny said.
Voting turnout in recent years had been low and that needed to change.

Pepperell sums up. Mr Finny has put business on a collision course with democracy. He has failed to understand the basic principles of democracy. I will tell him what they are. Majority rule, minority protection, sharing the benefits.
I ran a small business for many years and am certainly not anti-business. My concern is to achieve overall fairness between business and residents.

Cheers
Bryan Pepperell