Candidates need to keep promises when elected
Many of those aspiring to be the next mayor of Dunedin have also put themselves up for a councillor spot just in case they do not win the top job.
It is interesting what the mayoral candidates have been saying about what they will do if elected. A mayor wanting any change has to have the backing of more than half the council as most things are by way of a vote for, or against.
The mayor has only one vote on any matter, but to get things done they have the right to appoint their deputy and the chairperson on the many committees.
One mayoral candidate has brought a team, with like-minded views to his own and this would be a big advantage if most of the team were elected as councillors.
What is needed foremost is that candidates do what they say they will do if elected. From a voter perspective it has to be to get the debt under control and how to minimise rate increases.
Good luck to those who will have to deal with these issues.
Straight, flat
Do those Dunedin city councillors revoking the Albany St decision assume that Dunedin’s population at large do not have their wits about them to negotiate safe passage along this road?
A straight, flat road, with footpaths either side, convenient carparks, plus various, appropriate traffic signs. Resealing and pedestrian crossing is surely all that is needed.
Students walk and cycle this road as they have for decades, using the same brain power they employ with university studies. Five-year-olds are taught how to cross a road, also shown how to tie their own shoelaces. They are encouraged to think and remember.
Apart from continued financial expense, reversing the decision is an insult on intelligence of the people of Dunedin, with the focus on more under-used, inner-city cycleways and mythical pathways to the harbour.
Hopefully we’ll soon have some fresh intelligence with a bunch of newly elected councillors.
Voting system
I must express my thanks to the ODT for simplifying no-end, my ranking in order of preference, candidates for the incoming city council. Working from the tail-end of preferences towards the marginally acceptable as always, the eight also-rans at the end of my list only have to be quantified in terms of those I like least. So, "gang of eight", you are on notice.
I hope this system of voting catches on, I really do. In my opinion, only good can come of it.
Limited knowledge
It is remarkable that Andrew Simms could turn my questioning his ability to be "Mr 5%" into his assumption that I am "satisfied with double-digit rate rises." Added to his many other good news claims we must now include mind-reading.
It is also alarming that he has only "limited knowledge" of the performing arts scene when perhaps the most prominent performing arts group is from this own parish, the Taieri Musical Society. Should we know what else he has limited knowledge of?
Wrong trees in the wrong place, show respect
It is concerning someone has taken it upon himself to plant broadleaf seedlings at the Queens Gardens. I’m sure he meant well, but these trees grow very thick and tall and will eventually require significant trimming and cutting back from the footpath.
From experience, only a scrubcutter or chainsaw will do the business on a mature broadleaf because the branches become quite thick and tough, and a hack-back can deliver ugly results. Do the already stretched council gardeners have time to keep these wildcat plantings neat and in check?
They will block views of the cenotaph, which is there to remind us of the sacrifice of those who went to war for the freedoms we enjoy. Why would we want to hide such a memorial? Not a good choice at all for the location.
Thank you for your editorial (23.9.25) on the plantings around the cenotaph. The rationale presented was much appreciated. To those opposed, and for personal and service reasons I am one, please no vandalism. These are living trees that deserve respect. They should be lifted and replanted in a more appropriate location.
Calculating at Smooth Hill
Being a person who wears overalls doesn’t limit me to being able to use a calculator.
Andrew Simms wants to grow our population — which, with or without him, will probably grow due to various reasons. Surely he needs to do the numbers and see as I can that tonnage rates to landfills from Dunedin’s waste will increase with more population.
So at some point his argument about savings from exporting our waste will be trashed unless my basic calculator should also be added to present volume going to landfill. We need to look long term.
Risky business
In reply to Marian Poole (23.9.25), if Dunedin City Council had researched all of the issues with Smooth Hill it wouldn’t go ahead. It risks the viability of our airport and more than likely could pollute a pristine popular beach.
Dunedin City can’t afford to keep our rubbish any more than expect ratepayers to pay the full cost of replacing our ancient water pipes. Marion Poole, like many other would-be councillors, needs to do some fact-checking.
Otago Peninsula has many valleys suitable nearer Dunedin’s population to dump toxic tar waste from South Dunedin, where it wouldn’t seep into Otago Harbour or nearby properties.
Private affair
In his letter (16.9.25) Trevor Fogg argues the public health system would have improved funding if all members of Parliament were banned from having private health insurance, and that the 63% of us who don't have said insurance have "no freedom of choice" except to rely on the public health system.
Nonsense. Private hospital access is available to anyone with the means to pay for it, insured or not.
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