David Thornton

Member, Glenfield Community Board

[David Thornton is a former member of North Shore City Council, Auckland Regional Land Transport Committee and Greater London Council]

media release 14 December 2009

Call for city councillors to censure Mayor Andrew Williams

[I have sent the following email to all North Shore City Councillors urgeing them to distance themselves from the mayor and to put a formal censure motion to a full council meeting]

To all North Shore City Councillors,

During his term Mayor Andrew Williams has. by his actions, engendered widespread public condemnation on many occasions.

He has also, in my view, shown considerable disrespect for some of his fellow members - and occasionally for some Community Board members.

More recently his personal attacks against Government ministers, a 3-term former mayor, two current mayors,and local MPs, have been counter-productive in achieving anything for the city he professes to lead.

The latest revelations in the Sunday Star-Times, and the New Zealand Herald, and his public responses on radio, raise questions about his ability to continue 'leading' the city with any sort of dignity and civic pride.

Many of us have problems with SuperCity - but most of us challenge the issues with consideration and respect for those with whom we deal - fellow elected members, MPs, Ministers, the general public. And I doubt if any of us send aggressive and abusive emails at any time of day, let alone 3.30am!

By his actions the Mayor may well be bringing the whole city into disrepute - and you, as councillors, should take action to distance yourselves from this rude and disrespectful man.

I strongly urge you bring this Mayor to heel by way of a censure motion at the earliest possible council meeting - even a special meeting if necessary.

With respect

David Thornton
Member
GLENFIELD COMMUNITY BOARD

ENDS

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