Gore petition an appalling move

As a longtime Gore ratepayer, I am appalled by the decision of seven councillors to present a petition that has led to the deputy mayor standing aside.

The deputy mayor was picked by our new Mayor, as is his democratic right.

The mayor of Invercargill, Mr Clark, picked his deputy – a first time councillor — without any fuss, as was his democratic right.

This decision by the seven Gore councillors stinks of jealousy and appears to be driven by some individuals who have had their noses put out of joint by the election of the new mayor.

I can understand why some of the councillors are upset with Mr MacDonell being given the deputy mayor as he is one of the very few councillors to question some decisions,which apparently you’re not allowed to do,I am pleased that someone regards the decision to spend ratepayers money with prudence.

I hope that Mr Bell and Mr MacDonell have a happy Christmas and that the seven Scrooges read Dickens’ A Christmas Carol from cover to cover.

Right to life

It is commendable that the Supreme Court is so concerned about the rights of 16 year olds to vote at a general election.

The court alleges that this is discrimination on the basis of age, which is prohibited by the Bill of Rights 1990.

Why then, is the Supreme Court not concerned about the discrimination against unborn children on the basis of age, when they are denied their right to life guaranteed by Section 8, of the Bill of Rights?

Because the Crimes Act states that they are not human beings with a right to life until they are born. That is a legal fiction.

Our right to life is the foundation of our human rights, discrimination on the grounds of age commences in the womb.