(1).jpg)
Save Our Libraries Campaign leader Vanessa Byrnes is not succumbing to public pressure to stand for Tauranga City Council later this year.
A previous SunLive article about Vanessa's possible election bid generated the largest number of comments in SunLive's history.
Vanessa Byrnes.
The vast majority of comments were supportive of Vanessa, if she decided to run for council.
Vanessa says most of the comments were great but she is still considering her options.
'I've got a career I've built over 20 years and for me to give that up to become a city councillor, I would have to think very hard about that.”
'I'm a mother of twins, I'm a professional person. Yet I'm very passionate about community issues and community politics.”
She says her role in the Save Our Libraries Campaign, which pressured the council not to adopt its controversial 50 cent charge for adult library books, made her realise more diversity is needed on council.
'The whole library experience said to me pretty clearly that there's some pretty ridiculous proposals being knocked around in council, there's some ridiculous decisions being made, there's a huge amount of wastefulness.”
Vanessa does not want to rush into a decision but hopes to make an announcement in a few months.
'I have a family to consider. But I'm very passionate about Tauranga's future.
'Whether it's me or whether it's someone else, I really want to see some intelligent, honest, passionate candidates come forward from all walks of life because it seems like we have a very narrow spectrum represented in council at the moment.”
11 comments
READ THE LINES
Posted on 11-06-2010 10:00 | By The Master
She is standing. There is little point being in the paper regularly in an election year and the libraries sorted unless going to stand. This is a case of "dipping the toe in the water ..."
DEARLY BELOVED ....
Posted on 11-06-2010 17:08 | By The Master
Thanks Osmosis, bring it all on! Note: I am a peaceful and calm person at really. Good comments about Murray, Murray does not need much help to be elected this election he is a shoe in whatever the hidden agendas are within TOWN Hall for preserving the status quo. Vanessa is exploring the possibilities of standing, the reference by me to a toe in the water is in direct reference to these SUNLIVE articles and the clear message that is there, anyone with commonsense and a bit of savvy will see what the water temperature is PRIOR to leaping in, it is without doubt her prerogative completely to decide exactly if and when she puts her hand up. That of course is something that is to be observed, digested and considered as wise. As for the rest, they must all be residing in a CLOSET somewhere no doubt sitting quietly in the dark dreaming about 10/10/2010 being when it is all over and will end.
BAKER BANNED FROM THE PLAY GROUND
Posted on 11-06-2010 17:11 | By The Master
Mr. Baker wont come out to play anymore?
CHECKMATE
Posted on 16-06-2010 20:32 | By PIED PIPER
Kate Clark, it was you who made the claim that 48% of Tauranga s population were library members and now you can t or won t support this by telling us the number of people who hold current library cards or use the library each year. It was your Raging Readers outfit that researched this and made the submission against additional charges to Council. By the way, who said anyone was opposed to the crusade against increased library charges or didn t support libraries, some of us just don t like misinformation, spin and hidden agendas. It is also very disturbing that there has been no attempt to rein in ballooning library costs and we are not talking about the ever increasing costs but a reduction in existing costs. Just for the record it would come as a surprise if the majority of ratepayers supported your crusade, actually it s more likely to be a minority of ratepayers and unless a full poll or a referendum is held, we won t ever know the answer. Bluster and side-tracking legitimate questions doesn t cut any ice and only heightens concerns. If no one wants to front up with the details so be it and we are then all entitled to draw our own conclusions.
Hidden Agendas
Posted on 11-06-2010 15:11 | By The Sage
Murray Guy is the Master of hidden agendas and scoring points for political gain. Instead of testing the waters Vanessa should be putting things into place and making her intentions known, rather than asking for approval. She would be better to keep well away from Murray Guy and Hayden Evans. Neither would help her credibility.
TRANSPARENCY REQUIRED
Posted on 11-06-2010 16:54 | By The Master
Will Murray, some councillors are consistent and say how it is even if not an election year (bouquet for you on that one) Sadly some others are not, the status of mind in those individuals dictates that they act only for their personal interests or gain (bucket of water) A good example of the level of integrity of some TOWN Hall occupants who ascribe to this are those collecting money as commissioners and voting to keep that money coming. I don t care if it is $1 or $10,000 each there is a clear PRIVATE PECUNIARY GAIN, there is no avoiding it (Large sledge hammer) Mike Bakers only answer to that there wont be a quorum is what he told us (brick bat) this is a VERY bad precedent and substandard level of conduct.
What I did today
Posted on 12-06-2010 09:30 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
Today I saw on tele that Diego Maradona, the hand of God footballer, appealed for fair play at this years World Cup Soccer. Then I went on Sunlive and read Murray Guy writing about caring and debate without any hidden agendas.
Ahoy Master
Posted on 12-06-2010 17:19 | By Precocious
So when reelected you will get rid of 90 council staff and look at the library for cost savings becos your the master of the boat - the oracle of the coracle. But will you kindle a relationship with vanessa
TELLY HO PRECOCIOUS
Posted on 14-06-2010 16:48 | By The Master
Should I have the chance to reduce staff numbers in a cost effective way and as part of a complete rationalisation with TOWN Hall then I will take that opportunity with both hands. However in a democracy it is necessary to have a majority vote of the elected members, the ratepayers job here is to ensure that this can be done, you give me the mandate then it shall be done .
Pass - En Garde
Posted on 15-06-2010 14:16 | By PIED PIPER
Kate Clark - from what is stated you certainly appear to hold yourself out as a fountain of knowledge on the subject of Tauranga Libraries. It seems you either work in the Library or that you are closely associated with its operations. So here are a few very simple questions for you to answer: 1. If 48% of the Tauranga City population are currently library members plus of course the Western Bay readers, then tell us exactly how many current library cards are issued. 2. Presumably the library computer system will also have details of how many cardholders use the library facilities each year, i.e. how many individuals (not how many times each person uses the library) use the libraries 3. As you have stated there have been significant savings made in the library costs, then please explain how come Council have been forced to allocate a further 10% or $693,000 this year to top up the library costs. Clearly, spending hasn t and won t be reined in. You can think what you like about the effect of your group s emotive submissions but as I see it, these were not pivotal to what swayed Council. It is Election year and Councillors are protecting their butts it s called political expediency. There may be some very unpleasant surprises in store for you the next time around if this bunch are re-elected at the October Elections.
POLITICAL AGENDA OR NOT
Posted on 12-06-2010 15:09 | By PIED PIPER
While Vanessa Byrnes of Raging Readers was initially promoting a good cause and had a legitimate gripe with dingbat Council s proposed new book charges, I gradually became uncomfortable with the choice of who she aligned herself with and her manipulation of the media as time wore on. Since the cancellation of the library charges she has still continued playing up to the media, which indicates she will stand for Council and no doubt sees it as a meal ticket. The Newsroom 1 blog suggest she is not an arty-farty, unproductive member of society and I hope that is the case. Gender, single issues and age mean nothing by way of qualification to be on Council. It s what your policies are and whether you will keep your promises. Ms. Byrnes comes across as a left-winger, who by all accounts would happily support throwing money at State of Art Museum, expensive walkways, Art Gallery, Creative Tauranga, Baycourt expansion and of course her beloved Libraries which very few people use yet no one has explained what Tauranga s total library membership is and the numbers who use the libraries. Does Ms. Byrnes have an explanation as to how it is planned to pay for these facilities? My fear is that Ms. Byrnes next step won t be only opposing a surcharge of 50 cents on library books but demanding upgrades to City, Greerton, Mount and Papamoa Libraries and probably a new library at Bethlehem. Cost will be no object and how it is all paid for will be irrelevant to her. Although I personally like books and libraries they are dinosaurs from another age and ratepayers need accountability for any money spent on them. Does Ms. Byrnes have any experience in governance or managing large organisations? We currently have 11 Councillors who lack this skill and the results have been devastating. The last thing we need are more one-issue wonders. I am dismayed that while vehemently attacking the 50 cent surcharge, Ms. Byrne and the Raging Readers outfit didn t see fit to offer any solution on how to save library money such as staff reductions, limiting duplication of book purchases and rationalising services at the branches. Non-contributing users (spongers) are one thing but the majority who end up being the payers for others wish lists shouldn t be penalised for ivory tower edifaces they will never use. For once, I think Brilleaux has it pretty well sussed.
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to make a comment.