OPEN LETTER TO DOUG ARMSTRONG - CHAIR OF THE AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL FINANCE AND CORPORATE BUSINESS COMMITTEE:

7 October 2002

Thank you for confirming speaking rights at the next meeting of the Finance and Corporate Business Committee on Thursday 17 October 2002, 1.30 pm in the Meeting Room on Level 15 of the Civic Administration Building, 1 Greys Avenue, Auckland.

On behalf of the Water Pressure Group (Auckland), I would like the following points noted - for the record.

Had you been present, Councillor Armstrong, for the full duration of my previous presentation to the Works Committee, (by being on time), you would have found that the Water Pressure Group are just as capable as any other in giving a 'professional presentation'.

More importantly, we tell the truth and can back up what we are saying with the facts.

Had the Water Pressure Group not been denied speaking rights after we had gone through the formal Council procedures of applying for such - then, like water, when the channels are blocked - we would not have had to try and find another way to make our views available to the full Auckland City Council.

I look forward on this occasion to my presentation not being disrupted by security guards, and not being assaulted for trying to act in the public interest.

For the record - in the past, the previous Auckland City Council has deemed the issue of Waikato water to have been of enough public significance to warrant the attention of a full meeting of the Council.

Other, dare I say, more responsible Councils in the Auckland region apparently believe that the public health of the citizens and ratepayers that reside within their area warrants the attention of a full Council meeting - so why not Auckland City?

I look forward to presenting facts that have been gleaned from none other than Watercare Services themselves, that confirm why, in the interests of protecting public health, the Auckland City Council should stand alongside the four other Councils in the Auckland region (North Shore, Waitakere, Papakura and Rodney) and support the policy of 'best raw water first'.

(Waikato river water, as a 'raw' source of drinking water should be turned off as soon as possible. It can be turned off - it should stay turned off. Where's the drought?)

The Water Pressure Group wish to point out that had the Auckland City Council taken notice of the community activists such as Sue Henry and the Housing Lobby, when they first 'blew the whistle' on the building practices of developers - then perhaps the current 'rotting houses' crisis could have at least been minimised, if not avoided.

The situation with Waikato water is extremely analogous.

Be warned.

The 'Waikato Watergate' balloon is about to go up.

Penny Bright Media Spokesperson Water Pressure Group (Auckland) Ph (09) 846 9825

ENDS

Good afternoon Penny

I am pleased to advise the Councillor Douglas Armstrong, Chairman, Finance and Corporate Business Committee has approved a deputation of your group to the Finance and Corporate Business Committee meeting to be held on Thursday 17 October 2002.

The meeting will commence at 1.30 pm in the Meeting Room on Level 15 of the Civic Administration Building, 1 Greys Avenue, Auckalnd, and your deputation should be present at that time.

The Committee's Standing Orders provide for a deputation to speak for not more than 10 minutes, and that no more than two speakers address the Committee within that time.

The Chairman has asked me to pass on to you that while he is happy to hear your submission he does request of you that you present your submission in a professional and objective manner and that there will be no disruption to the meeting.

If I can be of any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me regards

Janice Langstaff
Democracy Administrator

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