Canterbury rates revolt lead by 90yo woman

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Sat, 17 Apr 2010 5:11p.m.

Ruby Fowler

Ruby Fowler

By Jeff Hampton

A rates rebellion is brewing in Canterbury as opposition continues to the Government’s sacking of the local Regional Council.

Opponents are encouraging people to not pay their rates, but the Minister behind the sacking says that’s just silly.

Residents say the Government’s dumping of ECAN was anti-democratic and 90-year-old former Labour city councillor Ruby Fowler says they’re getting no money from her.

“My vote was taken away from me earlier this month and I’m very cross about it, so I want it back and I’m not paying my rates for ECAN until I get it back,” Ms Fowler told 3 News.

She is furious that voted representatives have been dumped, and Government appointee Dame Margaret Bazley is now in charge.

The Government argues it had to be done because ECAN mishandled Canterbury water allocation issues.

But Ms Fowler says she is opposed to Ms Bazley taking control.

“I don’t like the idea of her being in charge of my rates, my area,” she says.

Green Party advisor Christine Dann says it was like a Fijian Coup.

She is urging people to query their rates bill and is investigating setting up a trust account rebellious rate payers can put their money in, instead of paying the council.

“If the Government appoints commissioners then the Government should pay for those commissioners,” says Ms Dann.

“They are answerable to the Minister, not the people of Canterbury. The Ministers and their Government should pay.”

Environment Minister Nick Smith led the Government move against ECAN, and is urging rates rebels to think again.

Just how effective the revolt is won’t be clear for at least a month, when the latest instalments of Christchurch rates are due.

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Comments

21 Apr 2010 08:44p.m.

David wrote:

To Ricahrd, What an idiot. She is entitled to her pension as this was taken through taxes she paid durng her life. You dont seem to have any idea what you are talking about. Think before you write.

19 Apr 2010 08:09a.m.

sam wrote:

Maybe we should ask why Nick Smith is using taxpays $$$ to the sum of $300,000 to pay his own legal bills

19 Apr 2010 12:56a.m.

Richard wrote:

had to laugh when i said this old bird on tv, not wanting to pay her rates, bet since shes turned 65, she has had her hand out for the pension ( loves the goverment for that im sure), thats 25 years ( and counting) of drainage on the country so far, come on granny, pay your way or next time you want or need water, put a bucket out and collect rain, dont produce rubbish, walk or drive on the grass, stay away from libraries, the goverment had to step in, because the people that were in there last ( probably the ones she voted in ) were screwing things up, we all cant wait until you get the person you want to run the council, perhaps it time to meet JC..

18 Apr 2010 08:32p.m.

Chris wrote:

What the government has done is orders of magnitude more deplorable than any dysfunction present within ECan. If we don't stand up right now and demand our representation back it'll only set a precedent; you let them away with it once and they'll do it again and again, just wait and see. This is what far too many people sadly do not realise. It doesn't matter how bad things are at ECan, there are other things the government could have done. Seizing direct control is NOT the right way.

18 Apr 2010 06:03p.m.

Chris wrote:

Lmao, watch Bill, Peter and dave cry "if" Grey Power decides to make this an issue and moves its vote away from National.

Thats only a 16 percent portion of the vote. more than enough to decide an election.

Oh wait, thats right.. elections.. democratic process... not really Nationals thing.. starlin.. oops Key would have a heart attack.

18 Apr 2010 04:50p.m.

Lois in Christchurch wrote:

What Nick Smith said about his actions being sanctioned by Councils is not true. Mayors yes, and shame on Mayor Bob Parker for stabbing ECAN in the back. But he acted on his own, but with the knowledge, let alone blessing, of the Christchurch City Council.

18 Apr 2010 03:46p.m.

the piunkpostman wrote:

Well did anyone see the disgusting responce to Ruby's action by the slimy Nick Smith last night(TV3 news.)
What an insulting reply . The fact is that this government has unlawfully dimissed a democratically elected council and the only way this inadequate Minister can justify his action is to try and belittle a elderly lady whomis standing up for her rights. He should be told by laughing Boy Key to apologize.
However having said that I am sure that Ruby a Labour Party ex-councilor is more that a match for Nick Smith.

18 Apr 2010 02:56p.m.

Lightseed wrote:

and where I stand Steve my democratically elected council stood against what was happening with ECAN and asked the government to stand in and sort it out or they would leave ECAN and form another with all the other councils that were like wise asking for quite a few years for ECAN to be sorted out but those calls for help fall on do nothing labour ears.

18 Apr 2010 01:32p.m.

Bill wrote:

Another Die in the wool Labour flunky. I agree with peter, if she doesn't pay cut off her services, same as anyone else that refuses to pay.

18 Apr 2010 10:27a.m.

Dave wrote:

Age does not always come with wisdom. In this case there is little doubt that ECAN was out of control and something needed to be done or the next time the salmon ran they would need shoes! I trust this is purely a short term measure and then a responsible body will arise from the ashes. Withholding rates is not the answer, democratic discussion and resolutions are. There should have been full council involvment but the results may have taken considerable time to achieve. This was a short sharp short term resolution.