Following from the story last week about Claire's near arrest and the police inability to effectively cordon off their own station; reminds me of an experience in my first week as a reporter for that bastion of journalism excellence, the old Thames Star. It... Read More

The draft annual plan/ten year plan is coming out for your scrutiny next week. Total proposed rate take is $72.318 million or around $1450 for the average ratepayer. A summary prepared by staff is going out to each household. Elected members had the... Read More

It has been a quiet week down on the Strand. The camel has even stayed out of my way. If it was not for the band 'Shaken Not Stirred” lifting the roof off my kennel on Sunday, it would have been a mundane week indeed. Damn they were good,... Read More

The big news this week would appear not to be groundbreaking shift in US policy toward stem cell research; the re-trial of Bain; or the Tauranga City Council's anguish over what to cut from the Ten Year Plan to avoid a ratepayer lynching. Far more... Read More

There was a right royal round up for a pound up at Full Council on Monday. Some of us had anticipated a made-for-media blood letting on the Chamber Floor over whether or not District Plan Review submission hearing Councillors would be paid extra,... Read More

Lately I've felt like my good mate 'Hef”. With all the centrefold pictures rolling in of all you bitches, I know how he feels, bloody great! I received this picture and letter the other day, and the judges here at my favourite watering hole,... Read More

This week started on a high note when a lone bagpiper appeared out of the mist. The shrill melodies of the highlands reverberated around The Strand and the ancient fortifications of the redoubt. At first we thought it was McLaren back to haunt us,... Read More

Recently there was a wastewater spill into the Waikareao Estuary from the Chapel Street wastewater treatment plant. I asked staff to show me how this unfortunate event happened during an inspection last week. Here's the overview as explained with... Read More

This is what the boss's sidekick has been saying to me every time I pass him by as he points a long pointy thing at me. All this has come about after he saw the latest Clint Eastwood movie. ... Read More

A legend who lived life on the edge. A discussion we have regularly in the newsroom delves into the correct names of local places. Often we are supplied information which is incorrect or mis-spelled. It's the moral and ethical duty of a newspaper to... Read More

Having wrapped up the draft annual plan/10 year plan to go out to you for your comment Council is now back into its normal round of committee meetings. At Strategy and Policy we reviewed External Representatives Remuneration Policy. This is how people... Read More

I've kept a pretty low profile over the last few days as the boss's apprentice has still not forgiven me for eating his ice cream. See if I care as I know the bosses are back and I do not have to listen to him whinging about my manners (or lack of... Read More