ED SAID: Are facts propaganda?

 

Invariably after each issue of the The Focus we receive little comments on a variety of articles and it’s both interesting and reassuring to hear just what things interest our readers and the differing views people often hold on the same articles.

I was mildly amused however by a couple of comments from our last issue relating to rates arrears entitled ‘Numbers tell the story.’ Some considered numbers ‘didn’t tell the story.’ While that may technically be true, the whole rates/EcoCare saga has been well told. One respondent labelled the article as ‘propaganda’. The figures were direct from the KDC and simply showed the demographic of how unpaid rates were attributed throughout the Kaipara and Mangawhai. No person was named or shamed and, as MRRA members have happily marched the streets chanting, waving banners and been happily interviewed on countrywide media in their quest to prove a principle, surely there can be little criticism of the figures released. The accompanying panel showed how the arrears are demographically applied so facts can hardly be propaganda.

What amused me most however was the person who was really quite concerned that he didn’t know Peter Nicholas who was credited as the writer. Is that really important? Writers have been known to use a pseudonym or alias since forever. Indeed it was years into the Harry Potter series that it was revealed to the world that writer JK Rowling was actually a woman. Could that possibly be the case here too? Nicholas Peters could just as easily be Preston Eilich, Cherie Spotnal, Loraine Spetch or any other anagrammatical derivative.

While we don’t expect everyone to agree with the views expressed, what is reassuring though is that The Focus is being read both in hard copy and online by increasing numbers and over a widening area. Facebook followers too are making their feelings known and while again, not all in agreeance on any issue raised, most recognise our individual right to an opinion and there were lots floating around over the weekend concerning dogs, markets, traffic, boaties and more.

The town was deluged once again by visitors who helped top up the school coffers by around $28k, at the annual Ag Day. The Saturday markets were again a focal point and their Sunday counterpart at the Domain was almost akin to the New Year gala. A big group of walkers attended the opening of the Tanekaha Waterfall track which will be part of the next walking weekend activity and I heard several complimentary comments of Elton John whose lookalike performed at the Tavern on Sunday night proved 70s music is still far from dead.

As well as the usual big Christmas issue of The Focus, we will be producing a picture portrait 2015 Mangawhai Calendar, great for your kitchen or office wall and also as a gift for someone who has a special affinity with ‘our place.’ On sale in a fortnight or you may order now to avoid missing out and profits will go to local clubs and worthy causes which rely so much on community support.

Then, if you want to know the nuts and bolts of what’s happening in Mangawhai, flick over to our ‘Did you know’ column. It will show that Mangawhai’s anything but a sleepy little town so it’s up to you to get out and enjoy it.

Just a few thoughts.

Cheers Rob