Hutt 20/20 Media Release

Friday, March 09, 2001

Don't Involve The Ratepayers In Your Personal Mess - Dalziell Warns Terris

Cr. Scott Dalziell today called on John Terris to desist from dragging the Council and the Ratepayers of Lower Hutt into the legal mire he has created for himself over his providing a testimonial in the Kapea criminal trial.

Cr. Scott Dalziell is opposing a suggestion that the Council fund Mayor John Terris' proposed defamation action against local newspapers after they published critical comment on Terris' involvement in the trial.

The funding proposal is on the agenda for next Tuesday's Council meeting.

"The only basis on which John Terris should have been involved in the Kapea trial was as a private individual", said Cr Scott Dalziell.

"The Council was not consulted - and nor should it have been - in such a personal matter. It is not appropriate now to try and involve the Council just because things have turned sour."

"It was a personal judgement, and John is the creator of his own misfortune in this case. It is not for the Ratepayers to bail him out - if indeed he can be bailed out"

"This really does raise questions about John's judgement."

"Firstly, because he hasn't been able to maintain a clear distinction between his public and private roles"

"Secondly, because he is putting the Ratepayers at risk by allowing them to become liable for his defamation action, which on the surface would not seem likely to succeed."

"At next Tuesday's Council meeting I will be calling on John Terris not to involve the Council in this matter, and I will be advising him to withdraw the threatened defamation action against the press."

Cr. Scott Dalziell, is leader of the Hutt 20/20 Team and a Mayoral Candidate in the forthcoming local government elections

ends

For more information please contact:

Cr Scott Dalziell, Hutt 20/20 Mayoral Candidate (ph 567 1022)

Steve Hurring, Hutt 20/20 Campaign Manager (ph 576 1175)

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