ARC Turning Democracy into Demockery
Less than a week ago an undisclosed number of ARC ratepayers received notices dated 4th February 2004 demanding payment
within 7 days of the date of the notice. This was, of course, a physical impossibility because the notices were received
at least 7 days after 4th February.
The high-handed tone of the notice upset many ratepayers including me. At 7.45 pm on 12/2/04,the day I received my
notice, I contacted Gwen Bull who had not seen the actual letter sent out. I asked if any Councillors had. She did not
know.
Next morning, 13/2/04, I wrote to the Minister of Local Government and to the ARC. Through Lynn Fisher I posed the
following 4 questions to all Councillors.
1) Did you read the second reminder notice before it was sent out to ratepayers?
2) Did you vote to selectively target ratepayers owing more than $500 in rates to be sent a legal notice as a third
reminder?
3) Are you as a Councillor prepared to read the 3rd notice before it is sent out to ratepayers?
4) On what date is it proposed to send those notices?
To date I have received 2 replies and a generalisation.
The replies were:- Sandra Coney (13/2/04)
1) No 2) No 3) Yes 4) according to Ewen Hutchinson, about 17 Feb or thereafter.
Mike Lee (17/2/04)
1) No 2) No 3) Yes 4) Not sure will find out
The generalisation was:- Michael Barnett (16/2/04)
"Gary the notices sent from the ARC should have been segmented into more definable groups; should have had a more
targeted message given the sensitive nature of the issue. Any future communication with them will reflect this view."
I was disappointed that when I rang Councillor Barnett he said he was not prepared to answer my specific questions
specifically. I am even more disappointed that 10 Councillors, including Gwen Bull, have chosen, to date, not to respond
in writing.
- Gary Osborne