Williams' "provocative"

Understatement of the year by the North Shore Times, but their piece is an accurate reflection of the week's events.

Good to see some sensible, pragmatic commentary from Cr Darby at the end of the article.

Shore mayor Andrew Williams is being heavily criticised for making "unnecessary provocative, patronising and potentially damaging comments" over petrol tax changes.

Newmarket Business Association head Cameron Brewer reportedly used these words to criticise the mayor and said he had damaged Auckland’s relationship with the rest of the country.

On Monday night during a television news item other mayors and residents from around New Zealand criticised his comments.

Mr Williams’ comments follow a government announcement that a 9.5c Auckland fuel tax will be dropped in favour of a national 6c fuel tax.

In what appears to be sarcasm, Mr Williams expressed his "heartfelt thanks to people in the provinces" to helping sort out Auckland’s transport problems.

"I would like to extend my thanks to the people from the likes of Gore, Timaru, Hokitika, Waipukurau, Stratford, Opotiki, and Kerikeri for contributing in the future to Auckland’s transport woes," he says.

"I hope as many people as possible from around New Zealand will visit Auckland in the coming years to take advantage of the improved public transport that they will have paid for."

In a raft of press releases Mr Williams questions the government’s ability to sort out public transport problems.

And so forth. We at "The Mayor is Mad" are not always in alignment with David Thornton of the No More Rates ticket, but we think he's hit the button on his suggestion of a recall for politicians in regard to Williams' appalling behaviour this week.