Mayoralty

Press, 10 July 1989, Page 20

Mayoralty

Sir, —As a young and responsible councillor Vicki Buck had every right to query vast sums of money being spent on royal visits. May I remind Mr Fahey it' was ratepayers’ money. Vicki Buck, like many of us ratepayers, had to work for a living and was not always able to attend social functions such as a royal reception. She has explained this already. One of New Zealand’s most successful mayors, Dame Cath Tizard, has strong views on subjects. This has not prevented her from doing her duties with distinction. The Queen herself holds strong views, too. This has not prevented her from doing her duties with dignity and grace. Vicki Buck is now a mature woman; a person of the 1990 s and beyond, not the 1960 s and 19705. Those who have met her know she has good grace, dignity and, above all, integrity. — Yours, etc., L. ROBERTS. July 4, 1989. Sir,—Perhaps Vicki Buck is no royalist. So what? Neither am I. I can assure you that both Vicki and I would be as respectful and polite as anyone else in the presence of the Queen. The real fact to consider is that Vicki speaks her mind, calls a spade a spade and does not take weeks to wind up calling it a damn shovel. Vicki is an honest woman and would make a great Mayor. Christchurch is what the issue is about. She has fresh ideas, good organisational skills, excellent financial skills. She is concerned for the future and where we are going as an expanding city. Let us face it, the Queen only graces these shores rarely. I am all for Vicki. For Dr Fahey’s information, I am not, and never have been, either a committed voter for either Citizens or Labour but, as an independent, I will vote for Vicki any day. — Yours, etc., RONALD O. HILTON. July 4, 1989.