From the Residents & Ratepayers Massey Ward Group

Subject: - Cleaning up the City

Waitakere City Council Candidate, John Riddell, would like to see the Graffiti budget doubled in Waitakere City.

" The Tag Out Trust in Waitakere City does a great job", says Mr Riddell, " however in places the graffiti is out of control, in fact in some cases I believe it is even supported by my political opposition."

"Just over a month ago I purchased a home in the Massey Ward. Over the past couple of weeks I have had a phone call asking about my stand on an issue, five minutes later I take the dog for a walk and my signs disappear. On Friday 17th, I leave the house to deliver letters, and my house is tagged. It is as if you are being watched," says Mr Riddell.

While out delivering letters Mr Riddell has noticed graffiti on footpaths, fences, trees, lamp posts, whether in West Harbour, Herald Island, Massey or Ranui.

" The tagging of my house has just highlighted for me a problem, yet where I live all the Council can do is set up meaningless drop in centres, instead of focusing on making the streets look nice, that water pipes do not leak, and footpaths are fixed up, and lighting is provided to provide security on our walkways."

Mr Riddell's campaign time has provided him with lots of action. On Friday 17th while driving home a lady jumped out of a van and a set of lights in front of him, calling for help, and with her nose bleeding. Her husband had threatened her, and Mr Riddell picked her up and took her to the safety of a patrolling police car.

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