I live in Katikati, and have done so for 69 years. Some of my family have been here for seven generations, original pioneers and feature in two local murals. They helped forge this community, without the help of consultants, or trendy intellectuals and helped build it in to what it is today. I have had a few special heroes in my lifetime, Charles Upham for one, Sir Edmond Hillary for another, and in more recent times Peter Snell, who I went to school with, and a wonderful battler from Hawkes Bay called Garth McIvar from Sensible Sentencing Trust.
Even more recently after a frustrating nine years on the Western Bay District Council I was not happy when they ignored the over whelming majority opinion on rating submissions, and the Mayor and the majority of Councillors thumbed their noses at democracy (in the form of majority opinion). Their policies need revisiting. I have more recently hung my hopes on another battler with principle called Rodney Hide. Many of my family have suffered or died on the fields of battle over the years fighting for the principles of democracy. I feel sad at those that thumb their noses at this principle. I well remember the words of a wise American who said 'Evil things only happen when good people say nothing”, hence this letter.
The latest example is John Key's ignorance of democracy regarding the anti smacking referendum. Generations of my family have supported National over the years, with a brief hiccup when Muldoon misled the pensioners over the removal of the Supertax. I thought John Key was a breath of fresh air after Labour, and Sandra Goudie, our MP is a really good lady. I support her totally, but John Key has kicked National supporters, and democracy right in the guts, by thumbing his nose at overwhelming majority opinion, because 'he knows best”. Despicable in my opinion. Come on John, save the day and our party's credibility, respect democracy, the ball is in your court. Time is slipping by.
Norm Mayo, Katikati