ARC Rates Demand second reminder letter

MEDIA RELEASE. Below is a copy of an email sent to ARC re its latest Rates Demand letter.

The REGIONAL RATEPAYERS REBELLION

The campaign opposing the Auckland Regional Council rating policy.

Contact, DAVID THORNTON [Chairman of the Glenfield Ratepayers] 77, Hillcrest Avenue, Northcote, NORTH SHORE CITY ph 443 5301 fax 443 6771 mobile 0274 831 825 email david@Kandu.co.nz

12 February 2004

Jo Brosnahan Chief Executive Officer Auckland Regional Council

Dear Jo,

Yesterday I started to receive numerous phone calls from ratepayers who had just received the second 'reminder' letter from the ARC demanding payment of unpaid rates within 7 days.

The letters were dated 4th February but were only received on 11th February - 7 days later.

I know that some people have telephoned the Rates hotline - many complaining about the 'bullying' nature of the letter, as well as the 7 day deadline.

A further issue is the statement in the letter that the ARC will write to mortgagees demanding payment.

You are well aware that the ARC can make no such demand until 1st November 2004. , and - as mentioned by one councillor at the recent Rates Special Committee - these tactics are intended to 'frighten' people into paying.

I am well aware that the council has a legal obligation to collect all debts due to it, but I believe that this latest letter oversteps the mark by implying that the ARC will act immediately by contacting mortgagees after the expiry of the seven day period.

I should also point out that at this time the ARC has no idea which ratepayers have mortgages and which do not. Nor has the political arm of the council authorised any such action.

As the ARC has almost 100,000 defaulting ratepayers, it would seem appropriate - and even necessary - for the ARC to place advertisements, and issue media statements, to clarify the situation

Yours sincerely

David Thornton

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