Press Release
ISSUED BY AFFORDABLE AUCKLAND
Rates

Stephen Berrys Palino and Brown

“If one were to believe the media-appointed front runners of the Auckland Mayoral elections, then rates increases are a certainty. The only difference between Palino and Brown is the level they want to increase rates. However, there is a credible alternative to rates increases,” says Affordable Auckland Mayoral candidate Stephen Berry.

“I am the only Auckland Mayoral candidate with a credible plan to cut rates,” says Berry. “I am not advocating a cap on current rates. I am not promising to keep increases below the rate of inflation. I am issuing a guarantee to every ratepayer in Auckland that the percentage of property value they are charged for rates will drop should I be elected and be able to command a majority on the council.”

Berry accepts that there may be some scepticism amongst voters, which is why he is happy to give a taste of the wanton waste that will not occur on Council under his Mayoralty. “I will not be spending ten million dollars on a waterfront theatre, ten million dollars on V8 races or ten million dollars on a league tournament. I won’t fund an eight million dollar tram system to nowhere on the Wynyard Quarter and I won’t waste your hard earned cash on $30 million of mayoral office spin doctors or thousands on skateboarding etiquette. The future of the St. James Theatre is for the property owner to decide, not for Auckland Council to bail out.”

“I find it odd that the majority of Council is opposed to a free Sky City convention centre, yet will gamble $30 million on an artificial white water rafting centre the private sector wouldn’t touch with a rotten oar. Affordable Auckland is committed to quality spending on core services only, not ridiculous ego boosts or monumental grandeur such as that pursued by our current Mayor.”

“I will go line by line through the current Council budget and wipe out any expenditure which is not necessary to fund the basic local government functions required by law. Making home ownership affordable for young families and pensioners on very limited incomes is of far greater importance to me than wasting millions on the egos of politicians.”

“Read my lips. I will cut your rates.”

ENDS

Stephen Berry
Affordable Auckland candidate, Mayor/Waitemata & Gulf/Waitemata Local Board

Stephen.berry@xtra.co.nz
www.affordable.org.nz
www.facebook.com/affordablecity
www.facebook.com/berryformayor

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