Site's early days a mix of satisfaction and political pressure

April 8th
by David Armstrong

This website is officially only 10 days old, but already we've seen the highs and lows that come with putting yourself "out there", with a number of encouraging contributions mixed with the sadness of seeing some of our political and business leaders unwilling to support or cope with the concept of free and democratic community expression. (See story about the launch event here.)

The number of clubs and community groups that have availed themselves of the opportunity of having their own free web pages on this site is still a minority of all such groups in and around Motueka, but the number is nevertheless growing. Most encouraging of all to me, as editor and administrator, has been the largely unsolicited offerings of some community members who already see and understand the value of contributing their voices as part of a thriving community.

Grant Douglas has been publishing his gardening diary weekly on this site for nearly 2 months now. The Art Group have begun sending in their members' best paintings for display on the site, and the Camera Club is likewise preparing to contribute to the popular "Photos" section of the site (visitor statistics show the photos page is regularly one of the most visited).

And quite a few people and groups are now sending their "press releases" to me as part of their news mailouts, enabling me to present them on the site.

Site visitor numbers, too, are growing, and now have passed the 100 per day mark.

The run-in we've had with certain of the town's leading lights has, however, been something of a "downer". The stance of the district mayor, Richard Kempthorne, when renegeing on his promise to launch the site (along with the non-arrival of any TDC staff at all for the event), has been documented by Alastair Paulin in his Nelson Mail article (which you can read here).

Richard is of the opinion that news of controversial issues, even when it was presented with input from both sides, should be managed (presumably by officials, politicians and business leaders) as this is suppposedly in the best interests of the community.

Since the mayor's decision, two other leading lights have withdrawn support for the website. MP Chris Auchinvole had, even up to 2 hours before the Monday launch (when I phoned and received absolute confirmation), promised to support the site with an on-going advertisement providing some small financial support. He was thanked for this in absentia at the launch. When the written confirmation and payment didn't arrive three days later, I phoned his office for details, to be told by his staff that he no longer would support the site. No reason was given, and I have heard nothing since in the way of apology or explanation.

Then yesterday morning, Bruce Miller, owner of New World, who had agreed three weeks ago to sponsor the site and whose advertisement had been showing on the site, phoned to say that because the site carried controversial issues he would no longer be a sponsor.

Already another sponsor, who appreciates the site's willingness to air controversial issues and to consider the community voice first and foremost, has agreed to help financially, and Fresh Choice is also taking a slot.

So it has been 10 days of great satisfaction, mixed with a degree of sadness that democracy has not fully yet blossomed in this gutsy town.

Comment by Marcel Creyghton:
[Posted 22 April 2010]
Your news-website is very much appreciated by me. In fact it is a brilliant idea and whoever is doing this for us: Thank you very much. Good luck.

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