M is for Money

Do we need more money or do we need to spend it more wisely?

I see so many projects with big budgets on the other side of town and projects that are ‘nice to have”, yet we sit here and wait for our essential services to be restored and watch even the basics be barely fixed, done cheaply and with no pride.

I also see money being spent on countless feasibility studies for “pie in the sky projects” in this ward and far too many men in suits who earn more before Monday morning tea than I earn in a week.

It is heartbreaking that all the advocacy that comes out of this amazing community still seems to have made such little difference to those who lead well above us.

The annual plan process is a nightmare and operates on a business as usual model that the community barely get any chance to influence. A wise owl told me when I was first elected to spend the term listening and learning… and boy there was a lot to learn… But now I believe I have an experience to really make a difference.

I have seen the tricks they play to cover the wool over our eyes and this community needs to be strong and involved and have “on to it” leaders who can take the community out of this mess.

Do we need more money or do we need to get smarter about how we spend it? More money will have to mean more rates increases or we take money from other projects and I for one am sick of walking on broken footpaths!