4 Oct - 10 Oct
LOCALLY OWNED SINCE FOREVER
No 871
LAKES WEEKLY BULLETIN
JO
BS
23 IN 7 S ID
E
Exercise your democratic right… we are at a crossroads
This is looking grim folks and an embarrassing slight on our democratic rights. At the time of writing (Friday 29 Sept) only 9% of eligible voters have returned their papers. Piss poor result and cold comfort to say our absolute apathy is in line with the national trend. The lead up to voting time in the QLDC and ORC elections have given many opportunities to meet candidates and ask questions. And there are more options and positions to choose from in living memory. And with no clear leader for Mayor or Council your vote really does count. If the voting numbers remain as low as they are every vote is critical. I’ve been following the campaign trail and we have had everything from mudslinging, conspiracy theorists, do gooders and dreamers with no idea. From time to time even some commonsense, shock horror. But what I have not seen is the engagement from the people making the real decisions here, that’s us the voting public who on a majority vote will pass the keys to the biggest business in town to those smiling billboard faces you see on the side of the road. With only a few days to go to get your postal vote in, the talk of the town is still one of real indecision. I respect all the people who have put their names forward, so I am not going to call them uninspiring. However, the fact is nobody has absolutely owned it as far as I have seen, and really convinced the majority they are the real deal. So, it falls back on us to dig a little deeper because there is legitimate talent there wanting to be voted in. We need them not the pretenders. You just need to find them and if reading the little information pamphlet that came with your voting papers is all you have, then read the darn thing and feel good about making a decision.
Well known locals and Halo café owners Bruce and Claire Gourlay have hung up their aprons and sold the café. Halo closed last week and relaunches in November as Odd Saint, a café and restaurant under the Future Bars management. See stories on pages 11 and 35
The worst decision is no decision at all and living in a district at a crossroad in its development, you may well regret not taking the time to exercise your democratic right. The outcome of this election will have a profound effect on our lives weather you like it or not. And if you don’t vote don’t complain about the result and don’t complain about what those elected do next. It could be great, or it could get ugly. The choice quite literally is yours. Cast your vote before the 8th but if you are posting it back the papers need to be in the mail by the 4th October. If you haven’t got voting papers for whatever reason call into the council offices in Queenstown or Wanaka where you can obtain special voting papers. Find candidate info at QLDC website www.qldc.govt.nz/ your-council/elections/2022-local-election-candidates or scan the QR code. Scott Stevens scott@qmg.co.nz
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