For the past couple of years, we keep hearing people tell us not to go to a certain ethnic restaurant because “they were filmed by Target scraping leftover food back into the food to sell” and various other stories along the same lines. We got an email recently saying that someone else had heard the rumours, but had also heard that Target never actually filmed there. So we put on our Serious Investigative Journalist Hats, and sent out two very easy emails set out on a quest to discover the truth. Target wrote us back:
Yes we’ve been getting that for years too probably because target was filmed just around the corner at top shelf’s office down there for the first two or three years. Its never been on Target and I have confirmed this with the owner. We think that for a camera to be in the kitchen it must have been another staff member filming. I have no idea if its true or false but again it wasn’t filmed by us and no one in our office ever recalls seeing it. Urban myth?
And just to doublecheck, we emailed an Environmental Health Officer at the Wellington City Council, in the Building Consents and Licensing Services, who told us that this particular restaurant has a Certificate of Registration valid until July 2011. So can people please stop spreading this rumour? It’s ridiculous and untrue. If you don’t like the food, don’t eat there, but find another target for your defamation.
And no, we’re not going to name the restaurant in question if you haven’t heard the rumours, because mud clearly sticks regardless of whether it’s deserved or not.
We offered to publish the answers from any candidates in the local body elections and Mike Mellor who is standing in the Eastern Ward has stepped up.
1. You have 30 seconds to convince someone to come to Wellington. What’s your pitch?
We offered to publish the answers from any candidates in the local body elections and John Bishop who is standing in Lambton Ward has stepped up.
1. You have 30 seconds to convince someone to come to Wellington. What’s your pitch?
A raft of wonderful entertainment and recreation in a compact city – good for mind, body and soul
2. How do you think traffic flow to the hospital and airport could be improved?
Wider roads, more buses and more space for cyclists. Perhaps light rail too depending on cost
3. Where do you stand on the issue of opening up government data?
Shine the light.
4. What plans have do you have to improve recycling/composting facilities?
Lids on bins to reduce rubbish blowing about. Support council’s new plan for kerbside sorting
We offered to publish the answers from any candidates in the local body elections and Marcus Gangley who is standing in the Lambton Ward has stepped up.
We offered to publish the answers from any candidates in the local body elections and Mark Greening who is standing in the Lambton Ward has stepped up.
1. You have 30 seconds to convince someone to come to Wellington. What’s your pitch?
Wow, a capital city with the heart of a village. Waterfront vistas, green hills, amazing: coffee, food, art and culture!
We offered to publish the answers from any candidates in the local body elections and Rex Nairn who is standing in Southern Ward has stepped up.
1. You have 30 seconds to convince someone to come to Wellington. What’s your pitch?
Central city harbour jewel
A zephyr blows through
Event and party H.Q.
2. How do you think traffic flow to the hospital and airport could be improved?
Can’t get through the CBD
Transport system, hah!
Buses, not automobiles
3. Where do you stand on the issue of opening up government data?
Sorry some stuff you can’t see
Most of it you should
Nothing to hide from no-one
4. What plans do you have to improve recycling/composting facilities?
We need to reduce our waste
Compost organics
Put it on public gardens
We offered to publish the answers from any candidates in the local body elections and Kris Price who is standing in the Lambton Ward stepped up for his "15 page views of fame".
1. You have 30 seconds to convince someone to come to Wellington. What’s your pitch?
Show them a photo of our beautiful Wellington at its best on a sunny day. (Then tell them not to come during winter.)
2. How do you think traffic flow to the hospital and airport could be improved?
Two words: Light Rail.
3. Where do you stand on the issue of opening up government data?
Mmm sweet data. I’m seriously anal retentive about data. Let’s open it all up.
4. What plans have do you have to improve recycling/composting facilities?
I want to see our boring ovoid black trash cans replaced with colourful trash cans that separate glass, plastic, paper, and general trash.
5. What is your policy on street alcoholics?
I support a wet house and getting the DHB involved in treatment.
6. Do you support pedestrianisation of the Golden Mile? Why/Why not?
Yes. Pedestrians are equal users of our streetscape. It beautifies, increases values, gives recreation, and goes hand-in-hand with PT route, which must happen.
7. What’s the last local market you went to? What did you buy?
Uh-oh. I’m guessing New World isn’t the answer you’re looking for. Hilo farmers market about a month back count? ‘Spose that’s hardly local.
Some people have asked why we only sent out questions to the mayoral candidates, not councillor-wannabes or people running for community and health boards. That’s a valid question. To be honest, it was partly because mayors tend to be the ones that attract the headlines, but also because there are a metric buttload of candidates from all over the city and I just did not have the time to deal with all of them. However, since I’ve now discovered that one of my favourite tutors from uni is running (he had such a hard-on for the NZ electoral system, it was adorable), I’ve thought a little bit more about the whole thing. So, let’s see if the candidates are at where you are at. If anyone running for any position is reading this (I won’t be approaching anyone), please feel free to answer the questions that we asked the mayoral candidates, answer according to the rules, and send them to me – joanna@wellingtonista.com, and you’ll get your moment in the sun here on the Wellingtonista.
Thanks to Bryan Pepperell for answering our questions.
1. You have 30 seconds to convince someone to come to Wellington. What’s your pitch?
Wellington is one of the most beautiful compact cafe and cultural centres in the world.
2. How do you think traffic flow to the hospital and airport could be improved?
Traffic flow to the hospital and airport could be improved by having mode shift from private to public with light rail, park and ride on bus and cycle.
3. Where do you stand on the issue of opening up government data?
I believe government data should be made more open to the public.
4. What plans have do you have to improve recycling/composting facilities?
Public composting and recycling while energy intensive should take place here rather than in China as is the case with most recycled materials now.
5. What is your policy on street alcoholics?
Help find a place for the drinkers
6. Do you support pedestrianisation of the Golden Mile? Why/Why not?
Not sure it would work but would be happy to give it a try in parts with the agreement of stakeholders and the community.
7. What’s the last local market you went to? What did you buy?
Victoria Market to buy Broccoli, celery, bok choy.
8. Describe your bicycle, or your favourite bus route?
Avanti Montari dual purpose bike with road tyres and twenty four gear options and disc brakes
9. When did you last use the library, a community centre, or a council-run sports facility?
Newtown community Centre for a residents meeting.
10. Would you welcome a central government driven "super-city" amalgamation of local authorities? If not, why not?
Thanks to Jack Yan for taking the time to answer our questions.
1. You have 30 seconds to convince someone to come to Wellington. What’s your pitch?
You’ll never find a city with a better work–lifestyle mix. If I’m elected, it’ll be the most forward-thinking city in the world.
2. How do you think traffic flow to the hospital and airport could be improved?
By reducing the traffic. Part of why I am passionate about free wifi will be allowing more teleworking and flexible hours.
3. Where do you stand on the issue of opening up government data?
I’m the only candidate with ideas about transparency and open source. The more these data can be opened, the more we can collaborate.
4. What plans have do you have to improve recycling/composting facilities?
Get people involved via a city blog, and being transparent about our issues. People can learn about setting up their own composting bins, for example.
5. What is your policy on street alcoholics?
Working with police on enforcement. We need to get to the root cause. If it’s economic, it fits with why I’ve talked about job creation.
6. Do you support pedestrianization of the Golden Mile? Why/Why not?
I support greater pedestrianization but not the Golden Mile—yet. I’ve proposed a carless weekend in summer 2011, as a prelude for the World Cup.
7. What’s the last local market you went to? What did you buy?
The Sunday one at Chaffers, and a huge bunch of bananas.
8. Describe your bicycle, or your favourite bus route?
The Airport Flyer goes past my street. Comfy seats, free wifi, and friendly drivers—I’d vote for any route the Flyers go on.