Chris Hopman

It is great to see Mike Fletcher is back with his opinion pieces in the Ōpōtiki News. His views are always topical, practical, insightful and I consistently agree with his logic.

He is a bit premature about harbour funding as any proposed handover has yet to occur A 22 percent rate increase as now proposed by the Mayor is exorbitant.

I am firmly in his camp in that the ratepayer should not meet any costs towards the harbour.

He is correct in that he is seeking a cap on rates, and he quotes that "candidates seeking council seats" as profiled in the Ōpōtiki News have mentioned "rising rates..but action plans are lacking". However, the Ōpōtiki News is not the only source of truth.

My candidate profile in the election brochure and my two-page A4 brochure delivered to over a thousand properties in the Ōpōtiki General Rural Ward states differently. My secondary policy states: "There needs to be a cap on general rates at or below inflation." My pamphlet elaborates further and provides an action plan.

"A general rates cap at or below inflation could be simply and easily achieved. This could be either if targeted rates were applied as per Council policy or by reducing expenditure on unnecessary projects."

My primary policy is "Councils unfair rating policy should stop and we need to adopt a user pays/targeted rating" This is further elaborated on all my profile documentation.

It is quite fair enough for Mike Fletcher to use only one source especially as the Opotiki News is well read and considers different criteria than the Electoral Candiate Information Profiles. Unfortunately there is a limitation on the number of words that the electoral commission and newspapers allow candidates to fully outline their experience, qualifications and proposed policies and to provide contact details. This may be something to consider in future elections.