puff 234 Wheeler's Corner 48

Wheeler’s CornerÓ


Connecting Citizens Who Care


"Broadcast every Thursday at 11.45am on Access 999AM"

Contact Peter at wheeler@inspire.net.nz

48 14th December 2006

This Week: 1. Presents for all. 2. Letter to Editor. 3. ‘2006’ in review. 4. The last council meeting thank God. 5. "Thanks and all that".

1.

Christmas is near and each year ‘Wheeler’s Corner’ gives gifts to the Mayor and Councillors along with other leading players. To the Mayor a special two-week holiday in the Turitea reserves as the guest of the Friends of the Turitea Society. To the Deputy Mayor Cr. Hornblow, a life-sized photo of the CEO autographed by the tight eight plus three dog collars. To Cr. Gordon Cruden, a one way ticket on Air-Pacific to Fiji, and a two hour stereo recording of his own voice. To Cr. Naylor: a year’s supply of hair gel and two shirts that tuck into ones pants. To Cr. Kelly: a small jar of hair gel and a small garden Nome painted green. To Cr. Pope, maps of the route from her place to the council chamber and the Papaioea Ward meeting place. To Cr. Jefferies, a pay-as-you-go parking spot at the hospital. To Cr. Dennison, A dog-walking site on the Linklater block named after him. To Cr. Wall: a [double] life-sized photograph of a hippie from Tasman who happens to look like Paul Wylie and a bottle of nerve pills, double strength. To Cr. Craig: one ten-trip bus concession pass to Ashhurst. To Cr. Etheridge a double strength push bike crash helmet. To Cr. Ian Cruden: Reinstatement to the Arena Board. To Cr. Claridge: A voucher for three fillings at the dentist of his choice. To Cr. Findlay: A small plaster cast statue of the clock tower with cross. To Cr. Broad: A copy of his photo from the Manawatu Standard where he saved the parking spaces in front of the Collage St shops opposite West End School, with an insert picture of Annette Nixon the real hero. Lastly to Cr. Podd: a year’s supply of flat black coffee at the new café in the shopping centre near where she resides. To the CEO: A used 1960s Caftan and a hemp shoulder bag. All these gifts cost heaps but the one way ticket to Fiji was free… I wish the Mayor and all Councillors all the best for Christmas and the New Year.

2.

A new Council CEO

I would like to think that whoever decides what is to be sought in the new CEO, looks for someone who understands local government and its purpose. The social, economic, cultural and environmental well being of the citizens. Understands and has the desire and abilities appropriate for developing a public good, democratic organisation, that needs to be based on an organisational culture that is totally supportive of open and public debate. Believes and is committed to the legal definition of consultation which is part of the Council's 'consultation policy' and is committed to employing and nurturing competent and professionally experienced staff, and nurturing positive relationships across the community. Reversing the incumbents’ words, the person needs to be committed to supporting Councillors, as required under the Act, rather than requiring Councillors to kowtow to him. Hopefully also, they will be able see beyond spin doctor agents acting for applicants and able to check whether the person comes with a track record consistent with the above or has a reputation for alienation and slash and burn.

I wish whoever draws up the briefs and undertakes to select the person all the best in achieving the above. Perhaps the person selected needs a 90-day trial period. It could have much to commend it in making sure a council, community and city builder is employed whom others will willingly relate to and is encouraged by. There is currently a lot of resentment and negative energy to neutralise and transform both within and without. The potential is great, if only... Yours etc Ian Ritchie. Don’t we all, thanks Ian.
3.

Is there no end to what this council will do to grab money off its citizens? The Palmerston North Airport company, which is 85/90%, owned by the council that some years back imposed a three-dollar departure tax, which was going to be dropped after various improvements were repaid. It didn’t happen; instead they increased it to five dollars… So much for that promise! Now they have imposed a tax on the local taxi companies of three dollars every time they use the official taxi stand and the taxi companies intend to charge their customers three dollars every time they use their taxi service. It already costs around sixteen to twenty dollars to get a taxi to the airport depending on where you live. So it will cost you three dollars more on top of whatever you use to pay. I’ve been thinking about a few recent costs that the council has imposed this year. First to mind are rates, they rose about 7.5 to 12.5%. Then parking fees both short and long term, were increased by up to 35%, all but a few of council charges rose ranging from 2% to 25%. Councilor’s wages rose while their conditions of payment were removed, so councillors get paid regardless of their attendance at meetings. Valuations on a huge number of capital assets were lowered [when the replacement value is rising] while land values went through the roof. The only council to lose because of this is Horizons who use capital value as its basis for rates while the PNCC stands to gain because of the land value increases. So we could see Horizons having huge increases next year to make up the short fall. Their increase last year was over 10%. Still the citizens did have the odd lucky break, after three attempts the road closure under the council chamber died a natural death. The selling off of the Linklater block was finally squashed and sank like a lead brick. Elmira Ave residents won their court case and with any luck the Friends of the Turitea Reserve will do the same. The city supported the workers at Woolworth’s in their wage claims, likewise the nurses. The city had some growth if only slightly mostly because of the arrival of extra defense force members and support staff. We have new editors of our local papers the Manawatu Standard and Tribune who appear progressive. The free bus service to Massey has been a huge success. [A free bus service to the hospital would be great] Did you know that the council has just brought the few shares it didn’t own [15% I think] in the PN Airport Company? So in real terms council owns the Airport and the staff and board members are council or our employee’s…

4.

The last council meeting came and went. The usual disrupters Cr. Wall, Naylor, Gordon Cruden and Cr. Pope [who turned up in time for the feed without an apology] were in top form. Cr. Wall who was once asked by Cr. Lew Findlay, if she needed medical help, sure did at this council meeting. Coupled with Cr. Gordon Cruden, who takes twenty minutes to say what others say in two? Cr. Wall’s chatting while others are speaking, her head nodding, finger pointing and general misbehaviour is hard to believe and to think she was once under Mark Bell-Booth Deputy Mayor. It made all those present glad if not overjoyed that this was the last of her theatricals for the year. So the second year of Mayor Heather Tanguay’s mayoralty ended as it started, with the tight eight still not accepting the citizens choice. Thank God there is an election next year. The most outrageous officer report suggested that the Awapuni Ward Committee should discourage or even stop members of the public from expressing their opinions and the madly expressed opinions of Gordon Cruden about his Ward Committee simply proved the unstable nature of some tight eight members. I am more than ever convinced that my gifts to councillors above are most suitable…

5.

I would like thank all the readers and listeners of ‘Wheeler’s Corner’ your feedback and support has been wonderful. I would specifically like to thank Ian Ritchie, Larry and Dianne Haist, Gwen Morris, and Terry Casserly and Will at Access Triple Nine, Peter Cleave at Kia Ora 89.8 FM and the Puff Web-site. Michael and Janice Feyen, The entire Awapuni Ward Committee, and Fay Roy, Eric, Brian G, John Bos, Val Wilkinson, Maryanne Mechen and Dion Martin, Ann Hunt, Peter Horsely, Dr. Brian Booth, Colin Higgins, All the members of the Action Group, Sandi Elders and her wonderful team at the Open Learning Centre. I also thank Age Concern its management team and committee members, the Board of Trustee’s of Access Radio, all the members of the Community Services Council and the Greens for putting up with me. To all of the above and all those that have [or have not] supported Wheeler’s Corner, I wish you well and sincerely hope that you have a wonderful Christmas and a neat New Year.

My God says that she has really enjoyed the year and she wishes you all a happy and merry Christmas and New Year… Don’t drink and drive and keep your speed under control...

Peter J Wheeler

Wheeler@inspire.net.nz
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