The City Council has built two ‘bus boarders’ on
Hills Road as a further trial building on an earlier failed experiment.
The bus boarders are concrete butts into the road that require
motorists to halt behind the bus.
“A City Council staff member has entered the election debate
about the concrete bus boarders on Hills Road”, said Darel
Hall 2021 Council candidate for Shirley Papanui.
“In the Press of August 7 Council staff member, Richard
West, wrote an article defending what the Council has done and
claiming “misinformation” about the trial, although
he declined to specify one single instance of misinformation.
“I have been organizing opposition to the Hills Road Bus
trial so I suspect the claim of misinformation is directed at
me.
“Last week Mr West withdrew an invitation to brief me on
the issue, including the cost of the trial, because it was deemed
"too political" by Council.
“It is outrageous that a staff member is entering political
debate. Public servants need to be apolitical. Why aren't the
councillors who approved the measure defending their decision?
“This is part of a pattern of behaviour. Recently a Council
staff member, Geoff Barnes, publicly defended the Council’s
rates rise.
“If I am elected to Council, staff will be respected advisors
but I will advocate positions and defend my decisions.
For further information contact:
Darel Hall, 385 9299, 021 708 510
2021 Council candidate for Shirley Papanui
