17-11-2012 THE CHAIR'S WEEK Since the successful first public meeting I have been kept out of my garden , not to idle the hours away, instead our intrepid Secretary has made sure that I have undertaken the following tasks. Meeting with Counsel We had a meeting with Ian Millard QC, on Monday. He was asked to give a quote on doing an opinion advising on the following: the chances of success of bringing judicial review proceedings against KCDC for placing hazard lines on LIMs before they were considered by the Councillors; the cost of drafting pleadings ,and proceeding to hearing; the strength of various legal arguments based on breaches of natural justice, statutory breaches relating to the failure to consult. Other matters were also canvassed. We are awaiting his response. Other meetings We had a stimulating and productive meeting with an environmental law expert. We are thrilled to have available to CRU the expertise this person will provide. You will see from Breaking News the details of our meeting with Nathan Guy. It was great that Dr Ashby was able to attend to add his scientific clout. Four of us were there. We were given a good hearing We asked nathan Guy to read the Wednesday issue of Kapiti News, with its headline story of the meeting, but more importantly Gurunathan's article pointing out what a responsible group CRU was and that the Council should positively engage with us. Nigel Wilson ,Wellington Regional Councilor also came out strongly in support of what we are doing.
The Price of Honest Journalism? Remember watergate? Remember Deep Throat? Is it correct that the day after Kapiti News ran our meeting as a headline, The Gurunathan and Nigel Wilson article appeared in the same issue of Kapiti News, the Council resolved to stop all advertising in the Kapiti News ? We are asking the Council what their resolutions were. (Another task to do!!) The “Observer's” refusal to report on CRU and its launch does raise question of balance. Future meetings The Committee has a strategy meeting next Thursday. We are awaiting confirmation that our second public meeting on “Draft district plan- a Beginners Guide to Submitting”is on for Saturday 15 December. This will be a must attend as it will help everyone- particular people like me who are not familiar with the vagaries of planning procedures- to hone up. Cheers