Adi McMaster
Hello Martinborough and surrounds, well, elections all over and done with for time being Phew!
I went down to Balclutha last month representing our council on a “Small Towns Conference” gosh it was amazing, 35 like minded people from all over New Zealand with the same problems! Empty store fronts, crime, youth leaving, aging populations, rising rates (less value for $) councils full of debt. BUT one thing for me stood out.
We all love our small towns and talking to others I was proud to notice, we have one of the lowest rates and the lowest debt level! Isn’t that wonderful? You don’t want to hear what Aucklanders rates are, and they don’t get much more amenities than us, and you can’t get to see their mayor or CEO like you do ours for complaints or at local functions.
One speaker from Tauranga actually said the words to John Mellencamps song “Small town” – google it!(you just have to take out LA and put Martinborough).
It talks about small towns, people know you, know your family. Pride in achievements, look at the support we get when we are; fundraising for medical centres, victims of bashings, even just someone is sick or a funeral.
Instead of moaning about the lack of things small towns have, focus on the wonderful things we are proud of, why are we in this special town? Some of us could live anywhere in the world, think how lonely that could be?
Any enough on that issue. Thanks you everybody out there who voted for us on the community board, council etc. I hope we all do a good job for you and remember we are all keen to hear from you, and interested to help if we can, within our skill levels and abilities.
Adi Mcmaster
