Media release
VAN – Valley Action Network
26 September, 2007

Spring flowering of grassroots democracy in Lower Hutt?

The public launch of Valley Action Network’s policy on Grassroots
Democracy will take place at a meeting of Community Board candidates in
Petone tonight.

“Hutt City Council has done a dramatic about-face”, said VAN organiser
Grant Brookes. “Last year, they wanted to do away with all elected
Community Boards.

“That sparked a local revolt, including threats by Petone and
Eastbourne to break away. So now they’ve promised a shake-up to bring
more democracy to local communities, and extra support to the elected
Community Boards.

“That shows the power of grassroots pressure”, commented Grant Brookes.
“But even before the changes are made, the Council meeting last week
seemed to be watering them down.

“VAN wants this budding of community democracy in Hutt City to lead to
a full flowering of people power. Our policy, reproduced below,
contains the changes needed to return democratic control to the
grassroots majority.”

VAN’s policy on Grassroots Democracy is the fifth of six policy
releases to be made before the elections are over. The others,
available on the group’s website (www.huttvan.org.nz), cover:

* A Human City -- Putting people before big business interests
* A Green City -- Action on climate change. Zero tolerance for polluters
* Grassroots Democracy -- Community Boards for all, with extra powers
* Rates Justice -- Reductions based on need. Residents before greedy
corporations
* Free Council Services -- Not just protected but extended
* Free and Frequent Public Transport -- It makes climate sense and
serves the people.

Tonight's meeting, organised by the Petone Planning Action Group and
the Korokoro Environment Group, starts at 7.30pm at the Senior Citizens
Hall (behind the Petone Community House on Britannia St).

Postal voting ends on October 13.

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Grassroots democracy -- Community boards for all, with extra powers

Democracy in New Zealand has been reduced to a hollow shell. Time and
again, the politicians betray the trust of the people.
Privatisation and commercialisation have removed what were once public
services from any democratic control.
At elections, there's not much difference between any of the mainstream
candidates. None of them take the side of ordinary people.
The trappings of democracy remain, but decisions are made by the few,
for the few. No wonder many people switch off politics altogether.
We believe democracy means more than the chance to tick a box once
every three years. Democracy means community control over the decisions
affecting our lives.
It means the active involvement of all Hutt residents -- not just the
well-connected few -- in the affairs of our city.
Returning democratic control to the grassroots majority will take
changes at all levels.

Ends

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