Nominations closed weeks ago and there is now less than seven days (September 16) until voting papers hit the mail boxes, yet very little has been heard from the Candidates or media, nor really anyone's views on pressing issues.

Councillor Clout's election launch spiel at a ‘supporters' gathering put him on record as saying, 'helping bring a museum to revitalise the CBD, it's a shame we don't have a place to tell our stories,” followed up with the statement that he 'wanted to liaise closely with Government to help make sure we aren't bullied and to work more closely with local iwi on a Post Treaty Settlement Partnership. Many assets rightfully belonged to local Maori and the partnership would foster deals to maximise the economic benefit from these assets. It's good for everyone”!

What on earth does this gobbledegook mean and what is his team's agenda? The public need to know, so spell it out in plain English.

Subsequently in a local community magazine @‘Time to Reflect', Cr Clout's group of three or four got into hot water (so who comprises this loosely wrapped unit?) by overstating and spin-doctoring some achievements over term of council with a fatuous and a tenuous link, claiming credit for simply being on the same planet with little direct contribution.

Frankly one expects better from elected representatives and electors must take this on board when voting. They were taken to task by Crs John Robson and Catherine Stewart about wrongly purporting to speak on behalf of all councillors but no retractions or meaningful apologies forthcoming!

R Paterson, Matapihi