Calling in sick on the ratepayers' dollar

[So Auckland] Kia ora Aucklanders I would never dare to consistently call in sick to work once a week, unless I had a serious illness. Let's say you failed to make it to work every Friday. It would give you an attendance rate of just 80 per cent. It wouldn't take long to chew through your sick leave and be left out of pocket. It is not the same for our local board politicians who get paid for meetings regardless of whether they show up. So how often should elected representatives turn up to meetings? An [analysis of attendance across Auckland]( elected representatives attend anywhere from 40 to 100 per cent of general business meetings. Many were 'calling in sick' every fourth or fifth meeting on average. Local politicians front up to the public and make important decisions about their community in these meetings.Some of our local politicians need to lift their attendance rates. As a warning to those representatives, we'll be doing another roll call in the future. Meanwhile, if you've been thinking of buying an electric car, now would be a good time to do it. A [major funding plan for Auckland’s transport woes]( outlined yesterday. On top of this the government is looking at a fuel tax increase of between nine and 12 cents a litre, alongside Auckland Council's 11.5c regional tax, to fund a raft of new land transport projects. Petrol and diesel motorists are looking at $10-$15 extra at the pump however, [electric vehicle owners will cruise past]( the roads that extra tax funds, but having to pay nothing because of course they don’t use petrol. [Auckland honours our Anzacs]( Aucklanders came out in their thousands to local Anzac Day parades. [An odd home indeed]( A couple who turned an old Masonic lodge into a home. Saturday, 28 April 6:30pm - 7:20pm [The Perfect Gift -]( School holiday fun for all ages Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre, CBD --------------------------------------------------------------- Saturday, 28 April 7:00pm - 8:00pm [Jimmy McGhie: Tribal Gathering -]( Classic UK stand up for Comedy Fest Classic Comedy Club, 321 Queen St, CBD --------------------------------------------------------------- Saturday, 28 April 10:00pm [Puss -]( A musical comedy cabaret The Basement, Lower Greys Ave, CBD --------------------------------------------------------------- Saturday, 28 April 8:30pm [Alex Williamson: So Wrong, It’s Wrong -]( It will shake your faith in humanity, but at least you’ll laugh Q Theatre, 305 Queen St, CBD --------------------------------------------------------------- Did a friend forward this to you? [Sign up to get So Auckland to your inbox]( [Unsubscribe]( [Newsletter Settings]( [Privacy Policy]( [Advertise]( [Feedback](