intended to be "about our local community", they are citizens forums where they
pride of place is what you are thinking.
So we're not primarily a political forum, we're really here to talk about what
is important to us. From the turn-out today, 1st February, at noon, outside the
City Council Offices, the issue of the city and how it's being run does concern
us.
I've attached one photo of the crowd.
The meeting today was lots of fun, far better than the Buskers Festival in my
view. People were in good spirits. I can't tell how many were there. At least
1000, probably 1500, maybe 2000, but certainly not 4000. There was strong
public interest.
While this is not primarily a political forum, we can certainly talk about how
the ward system is working, how FPP voting works for us or not, and if the call
for a mid-term Election for a new Council is a good idea or not.
If you want to get very political there is a better place to do that, on the
Canterbury Public Issues forum.
http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/canterburyissues/
There were many topics raised by the speakers today any of which would be good
topics here. The stuff that's causing people problems. The stuff that a few
people have battled through, where they learnt some lessons we should all know
about. However, we won't know if the information isn't shared.
I know of a man who seems to have sound advice about how to deal with the
purchase offer that CERA is making. I'm not prepared to share that information
because I can't vouch for it's value. I've asked him to post it here, but he's
reluctant.
Two things are clear to me: but I could be wrong of course.
As the speakers today stated, there are about 30 people employed as
communication specialists in the City Council, and CERA and the government
probably make the total more than 50. The effect is that all the "NEWS" about
the the earthquake and our city is spun. We don't know what's going on. The
Christchurch Press was praised today, deservedly I believe, but the Press is
also the main source of all that SPIN, pretending to be information.
Secondly, we need to talk to each other, in small groups, in public meetings
and on forums like this. When we share what we are thinking we take
responsibility. When we step forward, we improve our own position and the
position of all those around us. As I quoted in a previous letter, Prof.
Douglas Ahlers, tells us that individuals who take responsibility recover
quicker. Your "recovery" is not unnoticed, it spreads to the people you know.
Streets, where people talk together and rebuild together, recover quicker and
do better. Whole districts can recover, but it happens person by person, and
street by street and block by block.
That's what we're trying to achieve here.