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SWDC, you reap what you sow

Last year I got an email from the local council effectively banning me from flying my drones and RC planes on any council-owned land.

This wasn't a general ban that affected all residents, it only applied to me.

Had I done something dangerous or wrong? Had their been complaints about my flying activities?

No, not at all.

In fact I'm widely recognised world-wide as a pragmatic safety-advocate within the hobby and my work to educate and inform other drone and model flyers has no doubt help contribute, at least in a small way, to the exemplary safety record enjoyed by recreationally flown multirotor drones.

No, it would appear that the ban was driven by political and personal agendas within some parts of council. It was implemented for no reason other than to piss me off.

When challenged, the South Waikato District Council (SWDC) claimed that CAA had told them to do this but CAA themselves denied the claim. Although I've had my run-ins with CAA in the past, I'd certainly believe them before I'd believe this council.

As a result of this ban, I've stopped making the videos that entertained millions of people and promoted this town to the world via YouTube. Consequently, the once regular flow of visitors from around the world has also ceased.

Great work SWDC, that's great for the local hospitality trade isn't it?

However, every cloud has a silver lining, at least for me.

With a lot more time on my hands, I've put myself to work advocating for the community in which I live and exposing the outrageous excesses and rights-violating behaviour of this council.

I'm not a big Facebook user but I recognise that many others are so I've been regularly uploading videos to that platform, each documenting (with evidence) the performance (or lack thereof) of this council.

In response, the SWDC has raised its drawbridge and shuttered its windows, as it always does when faced with any kind of problems related to the public. Unfortunately for them, this time the problem is not going to go away.

When I've raised issues in the past I've simply moved on and gone flying once that matter has been aired. This has meant the SWDC has been able to "wait out" the crisis and then carry on as if nothing had ever happened.

That strategy no longer works -- because I'm steadfastly focused on following-up on such matters and keeping the pressure on.

As a result of the efforts I'm making to show the public just how badly this council performs there has been quite a surge in public dissatisfaction. There has even been the suggestion of a placard-waving public demonstration outside their offices.

That has never happened before.

I'm also receiving dozens of requests for help from people around the country who've been having trouble with their own local councils and would like the spotlight of public scrutiny shone on their actions. However, my focus is the South Waikato.

Right now there are some pretty pissed off people within the ranks of the SWDC's governance and executive arms. Life used to be so easy for them... now it's becoming much harder because when they abuse the rights of ratepayers and frivolously waste money while hiking rates by a massive 50 percent over the next five years, I'm keeping the public informed and that public is not happy.

Of course I'd far rather be flying my drones and model aircraft (like everyone else is allowed to) but since that option has been removed by these people, they are reaping what they've sown.

Right now I have half a dozen videos lined up and more in the pipeline. Each one causes greater outrage within the ranks of a formerly unknowing public. I'm particularly proud of my peek into the history and track record of the current CEO Ms Susan Law. This will be an eye-opener for the people of the district.

Eventually the SWDC's drawbridge will be dragged down and the shutters pried open by the voice of public outrage.

I notice that, faced with the seemingly tireless onslaught of inconvenient facts and evidence being posted by me on a regular basis, they've even hired a new communications officer to try and spin their way out of the hole they're in.

Fat chance.

You can't "spin" this sort of thing away. I don't make hollow allegations and everything I present is backed up with hard evidence. For the SWDC, the only way out of this hole is to do your damned jobs properly without favour, bias or prejudice and I seen no sign of that happening at all in that building.

They haven't even learned that if you poke a bear (such as myself) with a stick, the outcome may not be something you enjoy.

Let the games continue!

Carpe Diem folks!

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