'Smear tactics' hit Spreydon as election enters final week!!

Wow - I didn't think I'd ever have to make a post like this, but the much reported 'dirty tricks', 'gutter politics', 'character assassinations' and 'personality attacks' that have plagued this whole 2007 local election here in Christchurch like a horrible... plague, have come to my back doorstep.

Well, not my actual doorstep, but very close. This morning in Selwyn Street, less than a 5-minute pedal from my home, I encountered... this:


Some would laugh this off. Many would probably just get out the meths and wipe it off (I did, but not before documenting the evidence of just how low my political and philosophical opponents have stooped in trying to derail my candidacy.)

In my opinion this is no one-off, childish prank. Those of you who have been following the twists and turns of this election campaign will know that this is not the first time that low, underhanded techniques like this have come into play. Now I know exactly how mayoral hopeful Bob Parker felt two weeks ago when he was slandered, mocked, denigrated and debased, and compared to Sideshow Bob from The Simpsons.

It hurts. It really, really hurts. But I think I have an even greater claim to the moral high-ground, the righteous indignation and (most importantly) the sympathy vote than does Bob. Being portrayed as an animated fictional character is one thing, but those of you who are familiar with Star Trek (and if you're not, click here) will immediately recognise what these personality-plunderers are trying to say about my character.

Mr Spock is half-Vulcan, and devoid of most normal human feelings, which he scorns as 'illogical'. The twisted insinuation that I am 'not of this world', an alien, and therefore unfit to lead the city is one that I vigorously reject! I call upon those who have carried the campaign to such unseemly depths to 'get back to the issues!' and to leave my family out of this (there is of course a clear implication that my children also carry Vulcan genes, which they don't... not from my side, anyway.)

Anyway, I would also like to point out that, on closer inspection of the two photographs (click the first link if you haven't seen Bob's one), it seems to me that Bob and I were attacked by one and the same red-paint-wielding graffitist / character assassin. It is becoming abundantly clear that there is a concerted campaign to drag the names of prominent candidates through the sludge of pop-culture analogies, and thus render us unelectable.

And further, it appears that the dirty, smeary, muck-raking knows no political boundaries!! Bob is, of course, thoroughly independent, but his main rival, Megan Woods, is part of the same Christchurch 2021 grouping that I represent. From whence do these malicious insinuations come? I will be looking out for the next appearance of the telltale red paint..!

What next? Yani Johanson as Cartman? Megan as Wonder Woman?

This has to end somewhere, and it is my hope that bringing it out into the harsh light of day will see an end to the deeply troubling personal attacks, and we can all get back to stating policies and answering questions, like real grown-ups.

Thank-you.

Voting is in full swing
Most people have their voting papers by now (if yours haven't arrived by Thurs 27th, contact Max Robertson 941-8533 or max.robertson@ccc.govt.nz).
While I was door-knocking today around the City Housing areas, I talked to lots of people who had already posted theirs in - quick and efficient! But, the stats from previous years show that there is a fairly steady return across the three weeks - a slight spike at the start, but still plenty of votes to come in. E-Day is Saturday 13 October - your papers have to be in by 12pm that day.
For those not in my ward, my statement that was sent out with the voting papers can be read here. I've also just written this for the Star:

Council’s traditional role is “roads, rates and rubbish” – these need re-thinking for the 21st century.
Roads are community spaces; travel is the life-blood of our city. Let’s maximise choice! Safe, efficient cycle and bus lanes will keep Christchurch moving.
Rubbish: more than dumps and recycling. Reducing rubbish will take bold ideas, like bottle deposits to stop broken glass litter.
Rates: we must be smarter about spending. We want good civic facilities, but let’s stop the extravagant rises of the past three years.
And a fourth “R”, rivers: in south Christchurch the Heathcote especially. Council has a responsibility to protect water quality and ensure a healthy environment.
I’ve served six years on Community Board. I live in Spreydon with my wife and two sons, and teach environmental education in schools.
Your vote is important, please use it. As a councillor I’ll be accessible and accountable. I value your support.
See: http://www.pauldespa.co.nz/

I've just printed a leaflet about Heathcote River issues: delivered about 150 of them today, and will be back into it tomorrow and Thursday (so will my partner Justine ;-)

Spreydon-Heathcote ward public meeting
I'm just back from a meeting at the Cracroft Community Centre (Old Stone House) - the only candidates meeting in the ward this election. A good turnout - members of the public outnumbering candidates 2:1 (some meetings I've been at recently had the opposite ratio!)

There were a great range of issues raised - I got asked about light rail and bus priority, as well as waste reduction. I promoted The Great New Zealand Bottle Drive as a way of reducing broken glass litter, and reducing community groups' reliance on funding from pokie trusts.

The City Vision candidates spoke a lot about crime and safety, which got us on to tagging and security cameras. Some good issues raised but quite a bit of politics-of-fear stuff too.
Oscar, Chris, Karolin and Phil all spoke well, so did young independent candidate Matthew MacDonald.

Tomorrow I'm off out delivering flyers to council housing.

My campaign vehicle!

If you'd like one of these too, have a look at the Sunday Afternoon Cycling Church.

Thanks Steven Muir for helping me build this.