a sad day

another sad day today as i've just heard of the passing of someone i know from the labour party.  he lived up the road from me, and has been struggling with his health over the last year or so.  but this news has been unexpected.  i also feel for his wife, who must inconsolable this evening.

in light of this news, i hardly feel able to write much today.  i'll just share a couple of bits of news.  first is that the ombudsman has ruled that hamilton city councillors will have to go public with their financial interests, so this information will be published soon.  i see this as a positive development: any conflicts of interest should be out in the open and people should be able to see for themselves any potential bias in councillors' statements & voting patterns.  incidentally, if you haven't caught up with the series over at the standard regarding vested interests of those commenting publicly on the nzpower strategy, please do head on over there to read about it.  this is exactly the kind of information that needs to be publicly highlighted, even before these people open their mouths to speak.

the second bit of news is that the frankton market has been saved, after negotiations with terry forlongs.  i haven't seen the news in the media yet, but the "save frankton markets" facebook page has the latest.  it's good to see a positive outcome, which is no doubt as a result of community action - collective action at that.

and one final thought: it's may day today & it's appalling that the government chose this day to reduce youth wages.  it's an appallingly unfair policy, discriminating on the basis of age rather than any measurement of ability, motivation and productivity.  it's just another way in which our society shows how little we value our younger people.  and no, it won't have any effect on unemployment: every young person who gets hired so that an employer can save on paying wages means another older person out of work and on benefits.  once again, it's a way of privatising the benefits and socialising the costs.