Back-sliders

I've posted before about the creeping expansion of local government.

Here is a good example from New Plymouth. The District Council wants to build a large cafe in the heart of the CBD. The Taranaki Daily News, which often produces good sense editorials, tells them to resist the temptation;

"In leaving it to private enterprise, the council cannot be accused of competing with ratepayers that it taxes heavily for the privilege of being in a prime location.

This was the motivation that ended its downtown retailing role nearly 20 years ago and is no less valid today and certainly not when there are other willing players prepared to gamble with their own dreams, skills and money."

Well said. And anybody who remembers the state of New Plymouth's CBD twenty years ago would agree.