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Shore Voice applauds pool vote
Shore Voice applauds pool vote
25 August 2010
The North Shore City Council's decision last night [August 25] to base its long-awaited northern aquatic centre at North Harbour Stadium has been welcomed by Shore Voice.
This team, which includes Margaret Miles and Lisa Whyte from the northern ward and fellow sitting city councillors Chris Darby and Ann Hartley, has fought an ultimately successful battle to overcome the stalling tactics of the council's power bloc, a self-proclaimed 'A-team'.
Shore Voice spokeswoman and candidate for the Albany Ward of the Auckland Council, Councillor Miles, says it was obvious three years ago that the publicly-owned stadium site was the best place to locate the much-needed community pool.
"Independent experts - backed by auditors - had told us what was best. Sadly, some around the council table thought they knew better," says the five-term North Shore City councillor and Paremoremo resident.
"Finally we've been allowed to hold our council debate in public and it's interesting to hear how some have changed their tune now there's media scrutiny and an election coming up.
"With this latest independent review strongly endorsing the stadium site, the third such expert opinion we've received, the A-team resolve has seemingly belly flopped.
"The time and money wasted is outrageous as are the self-justifications and red herrings being offered up by those in undignified retreat. At least the apology being offered to the teams at North Harbour Stadium and Massey University is something most councillors could agree on.
"A sincere 'sorry' to the public for blowing its money on unnecessary reviews and legal butt-covering wouldn't go amiss either if the A-teamers are truly A-pologetic. A full disclosure of all documents and costs is the least the paying public should expect as they, quite rightly, look to hold their politicians to account.
"It's no wonder many Aucklanders hold some North Shore politicians in such low regard," Margaret Miles says.
"The Shore Voice team believes that the Shore has unfinished business in Queen Street. This includes making sure the new Auckland Council will create a community pool in the north that this current North Shore City Council, to its shame, could not.
"A vote for Shore Voice in the coming elections is the Shore's best bet that we can, at last, deliver on the long overdue facility."
ENDS
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