A group protest against stopping the mobile library planned for Saturday has been blocked by Bayfair Shopping Centre management.
The protest, planned for Tauranga City Council's draft annual plan open day, was planned by Tauranga Library Friends and follows a protest put on at the first open day event held in Greerton last Thursday.
The protest to keep the mobile library at the Greerton open day.
Friends campaign manager Kate Clarke says they respect the centre's right to stop group action on private property, but says concerned individual members and residents will still make the most of the chance to raise their concerns with councillors on a one-on-one basis.
'We didn't realise we would be crossing so many lines with them, but it's a good chance for anyone to raise any issues they have on their own.”
Centre manager Steve Ellingford says they oppose protest action as management does not support any one view and it could be a health and safety risk for the public.
He says the centre provides an area where community groups can engage with individuals on a one-on-one basis, as councillors will on Saturday, but has requested that protests or group action does not happen.
The open day at Bayfair on Saturday from 11am-2pm is the second in a series of four events being held in the community as part of the draft annual plan's consultation. The group is not planning action elsewhere.
The group is calling for a $2 annual increase in rates to save the mobile library from closure and cover increased staffing for the expanded Greerton Library.
5 comments
What a load of rubbish
Posted on 02-04-2014 09:15 | By Murray.Guy
'Centre manager Steve Ellingford says they oppose protest action as management does not support any one view and it could be a health and safety risk for the public.' What a load of rubbish! Bayfair is saying it's okay for the City Council to stage a consultation event on their property BUT ONLY THE COUNCI can have multiple representation and the community can only share their thoughts 'one on one'. Come on Bayfair, demonstrate some respect for democracy and the community. Those with concerns are not a bunch of emotion, drug fuelled delinquents with the intention to cause unrest or any violent actions! If you aren't prepared to negotiate a process and space to accommodate all, BAN the Council also. Very disappointing and surprising. I don't suppose the Council was aware of Bayfair's intentions at the time of making their arrangements?
Protest at Bayfair Centre
Posted on 02-04-2014 13:11 | By Pamaxx
Murray Guy is obviously in "election mode". As an ex TCC Councillor he knows there is a democratic process for registering a opinion on Council's Draft Annual Plan, its called a "Submission" and forms are readily available. Whipping up public emotion on any topic is counter productive since in the final analysis cooler heads must make the final decision on every issue. It is better that protesters each make their own submission to Council then their argument is there for all to see. Cooler heads and logic carries more weight(on an issue)than does a bunch of shouting protesters waving banners. Max Lewis, Mt Maunganui
bayfair protest
Posted on 02-04-2014 14:12 | By sangrae
it is very obvious who bayfair management support?
No Max Lewis and you know it
Posted on 02-04-2014 16:11 | By Murray.Guy
Max, you are the one I suspect is in election mode. You are implying I only 'give a damn' pre-election. You insult me (that's okay, had a lot and a lot more to come) and you insult those folk who choose to share their thoughts, concerns collectively, the 'Friends of the Library)'. The presence of a community grouping is invaluable to assist raise awareness that there is in fact an opportunity to share your thoughts, a Council consultation taking place. Now go back to Simon B and suggest he attend in support of the bunch of shouting protesters waving banners, perhaps hold one! PS: Where have you been this past 15 years if you think I only come out, give a damn, come election time?
Polite Rally Like Greerton
Posted on 02-04-2014 16:22 | By KateC
The Friend's rally was a show of support for users and supporters of the mobile, no shouting, 1 sign saying 'Keep the Mobile Library' so we could be found. The centre was good because people could get to it easily, there are seats, public transport. We would have handed out submission forms, discussed filling them in, pointed out which councillor was which and who voted for and against the mobile. We would have encouraged those joining the rally to speak to the councillors - as we did to good effect at Greerton. All of these things would have got us 'moved on by security'. Friends try to be polite, pleasant, professional in all our dealings and also try to give everyone a chance to understand and participate in the Annual Plan process. Hopefully supporters will take the time on Saturday to chat with the councillors anyway.
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