SOS NEWTOWN

A press release from the New Zealand Police today revealed community constables are going to be working with Tranz-Metro and talking to commuters about problems in their areas, while in transit on the train. This is a "new initiative" launched today and already condoned by the writer of this email on the basis that these constables will be talking to people going to and from work. This means essentialy that they are, people with jobs, people with median range incomes, people with insulated homes, people from good neighbourhoods.

What about our Community Constable Damian Rapira-Davies who works for the poor, for those of you who don't know what that means, low and fixed income families with freezing cold council flats in poor neighbourhoods. If this is what the police is going to do with their "precious" resources we need to build a railway station in Newtown!

Maria van der Meel

Minutes of a Meeting of the Wellington Residents' Coalition

Minutes of a Meeting of the Wellington Residents' Coalition Held at 83 Wilson Street, Newtown at 11am Sunday 26 April 2009

Present: Bryan Pepperell (chair), Ian Drysdale, Roma Parker, Margaret Muir, Jocelyn Brooks, Marie Kearney and Warwick Taylor

Apologies: Arthur Winthur, Ron Oliver, Keith Flint, Mike Scott, Wendy Poste, Frank Cook, Larry Hannah, Joel Cosgrove and Ian Anderson.

1. Wellington City Council Long-Term Community Plan

Warwick will draft a submission on the WCC LTCCP covering matters agreed on so far by the Coalition.

We agreed that we would oppose the Indoor Stadium at this stage due the recession.

It was moved Warwick/Ian that we endorse Maria's proposal on recycling and incorporate it in our submission.

2. Proposed Sale of the Kilbirnie Bus Barns

We agreed to ask the Greater Wellington Regional Council on where it stands on the sale of the bus barns.

We agreed to write to Infratil asking where they intend having smaller depots.

3. Water

Maria will set up a group on water on Facebook and a group for the Wellington Residents' Coalition.

Maria will co-ordinate the printing of more petition forms and leaflets. We agreed that the leaflets should be A5.

Bryan will approach the Samoan Catholic Centre.

May Day

Maria informed the meeting that on Friday 1 May at 5pm in the Southern Cross Tavern there will be a launch of a petition asking fro a Citizens'-Initiated Referendum on a $15 minimum wage.

Meeting closed.

Carless City For Wellington

Hi Bryan/Luigi,

With the recent dialog on the issues of retailers and town planners would now be a good time to consider engaging the New Zealand Property Council in our debate. Or better still is there an option for them to call a meeting now that we know Sir Robert Jones is in favour of "pedestrianization from the Railway Station right to the Embassy Theater"?

Your thoughts.

Maria van der Meel for the City is Ours

Bad Politicans

Those Banks are stealing our money!

Super-city takes the local out of government.

The super-city is a great way to take the local out of Government. Past reforms have not translated into lower rates. Access to elected representatives if that form of government is to remain is crucial. Power in the super-city is concentrated in fewer hands and only the rich and famous will get elected. It's difficult enough now but a super city will do nothing to improve democracy and accountability. Taking the local out of government is a backward move.

Bryan Pepperell