Pay up or shut up

I don’t understand what all the fuss is about over the decision on the aquatic centre in Timaru.
A decision was made by the full council to build an aquatic centre complete with a gym and a wellness centre for $23 million provided $9 million was raised other than from rates.

The question is how does a community raise $9 million and avoid asking the government for some of their tax money?
The answer is simple those who want the Aquatic centre should pay up or shut up or should I say put their money where their mouth is.

The council made its first big mistake when it held a referendum on where to put the aquatic centre. The question in the referendum should have asked do you want us to build it.
What the council needs to do now is fundraise from the public using pledges. Pledges are used in a telethon where people promise to pay and would only pay their pledges if enough money is raised.

What makes this kind of fundraising work is because the amounts people donate are made public and others are challenged to ether match or better them. The lead should first come from all the councillors who voted in favour of the aquatic centre. They could tell the public how much of their own personal money they are willing to donate.
The Editor of the Timaru herald who seems to be in favour of spending $23 million on somewhere to swim could also lead by example with his public pledge through his newspaper.
All the people that have written to the herald in support of the complex could also declare their donations. Anne Hoskins and Belinda Kelly got free publicity from the Timaru Herald for their campaign so they could rally their troups and run a few cake stalls.
Cr Ray Bennett who left the ship when he felt the tide may of been turning and may cost him some election votes could also donate some of his birds egg money. I’m sure many people would like to see how much these do gooders are willing to donate for their worthy cause.

Talk is cheap and its is very easy to build things when you are using other peoples money but it is a different story when you have to put your own money where your mouth is.
I understand there is a meeting at the council chambers on Tuesday 30th June 2009. I’m not expecting this letter to get printed in the Timaru Herald so maybe someone who is attending Tuesdays  meeting may like to read it out to the public and the councillors.