Penny Bright has been in the news again lately, as the Auckland City Council forced sale of her house for unpaid rates seems more imminent (nearing the end result of a protest that has lasted many years).
Stuff: Auckland protester’s home to be sold following 11 years of unpaid rates
An Auckland activist’s home will be sold to recover more than $34,000 unpaid rates and penalties dating back more than 10 years, but she’s not moving.
A High Court judgement ruled Penny Bright’s Kingsland home would be sold by tender on April 24.
Bright had been in a bitter stand-off with Auckland Council for 11 years over unpaid rates after she stopped paying them in 2007.
She said she wouldn’t pay up until the council was more transparent about its spending.
“I’m making a stand and because I am a whistle blower I’m being singled out and targeted. I am not leaving this is my home. I always intended to pay back the rates, which I think has been lost in all of this. This could be simply resolved. The mayor and councillors need to instruct Auckland Council’s chief executive Stephen Town to open up the books.”
She isn’t in a great position to be making demands. It could have been simply resolved by paying rates due.
She must be one of the most frequent protesters in Auckland, and one could ask whether she picks her battles wisely or not.
She features again here in Bikelash, paralysis – and progress:
This is the new bike lane up the hill to West Lynn shops. Its completion was briefly delayed when Occupy Garnet Road leaders Lisa Prager and Penny Bright occupied a digger, with a ‘Save the Trees’ sign. This was odd, given that no trees were being removed. At all. Indeed, the new lane diverts around a couple of trees before heading up the hill along the top of the steep grass berms.
(I’m told the Occupiers’ new objection to the path is that it is bad for the environment because it’s made of asphalt.)
She is not the only one geing disingenuous about protesting.
It’s easy to dismiss this sort of protest as nutty – as long as their bills are paid.