Brian Rogers Rogers Rabbits www.sunlive.co.nz

This week, as many of you scurvy dogs will know, voting papers for the local body elections arrived in your mailbox. Ironically it coincided with Talk Like a
Pirate Day.

Arrgh, thar's a two-edged sword, if ever ye seen one.
Had our esteemed candidates really been tuned into the needs of the community, they would have launched their election campaigns talking like pirates. After all, there's not a lot of difference between rates and pirates.
Both take your hard-earned cash and treasures and give little in return.
We've a whole line-up of loose cannons, all vying for your vote so they can plunder and pillage the vast ratepayers' booty. Some are in it for genuine community service; others just want to line their own futtock shrouds.
So this edition of the Sun contains another rundown for you drivelswiggers trying to figure out which of the scumbuckets are going to loot your doubloons the least, for the most booty.
Avast, it's a difficult decision. Have the current scurvy crew done enough or should they be keelhauled?
Will a fresh lot press ganged aboard ye olde tub be any better?
Whatever your decision, please make it an informed one and don't just vote on the best roadside billboard.
And finally, there's no point complaining if you don't vote.
Try participating in democracy. You don't know what you've been mizzen.

Taking a break
As usual, our councillor columnists are taking a break from their writings during the election period.
Tauranga city councillor Bill's been writing Faulkner's Corner for three terms now and we thank him for providing his view of council happenings from the unique perspective of a sitting member.
Many tell us the column is well read and they appreciate a detailed insight into goings-on at city hall. Often the comment is made that they don't always agree with Bill, but it's the best source of council information they've ever had.
Despite frequent invitations to others to also provide such information on a regular basis, Bill has been the only one who has come up with the goods – and kept the commitment to The Sun and its readers.
And despite the mischievous suggestions of some, the column is, and never has been, the exclusive right of one councillor. All councillors are well aware of this and anyone suggesting they are ‘not allowed' is purely pooh-stirring. In fact several have promised over the years to also write a column, but none have materialised.
I remember well Anne Pankhurst assuring me she'd be demanding as much space as Bill when she was elected. My response was, 'Go for it.” I never saw one.
In the event of Bill being re-elected, Faulkner's Corner will resume later in October.
We also hope to have similar contributions from the regional council, which have been provided regularly by Andrew von Dadelszen and John Cronin.
The opportunity exists for successful Western BOP District Council candidates to provide regular input also. We look forward to hearing from you after the election.

Winds clocked
Finally, this weekend is, believe it or not, the start of daylight saving. Which means summer must be nearly here.
Try telling Mother Nature that!
The good news is, there will be an hour less of gale force wind each night. The bad news is, there will be an hour's more gale force winds during the day.
Never mind about daylight saving fading your curtains faster, they've probably been blown off the tracks in the last week.
Take care out there and don't let the cabin fever get to you.