Ramblings from the Council table.

A warm welcome to Paul Crimp in his new role as the Councils Chief Executive. Paul has been Acting CE and was promoted from Group Manager Corporate Services. Paul is a Chartered account and has a Bachelor of Business Studies, has experience in both local government and private business.     

Paul has lived in Greytown for many years and is a typical kiwi bloke with an affinity with the Wairarapa outdoors and bush.

Hikanui Road is having the last 500 metre section upgraded at last, this has been subject to many years of discussion, annual plan submissions and agreement that probably dates back 10 years or so. The Bargh’s, Hedley’s and other Hikanui Road residents will be happy. All good things come to those who persist!

Civil Defense is a live and very operational; Karen Stephens is Team Leader and is being assisted by a group of locals. Karen has considerable experience in emergency management and our community is very fortunate to have her on board.  The Lion’s Den and the Marae have been singled out, the Lion’s Den will be the DC information/welfare Centre  with the Marae being used as backup and support.

Annual plan; I’m not sure how to get people to come along to these meetings, in my many years of local government the best attended meetings where those on an aborted capital rating proposal, now that pulled the public! Well nothing so controversial in our Annual Plan just nuts and bolts and core business just what the government wants. What’s more the increase projected in the AP is 3.87% down from 4.07% forecast in the Long Term Plan.

Things of interest, Greytown toilet upgrade, Featherston emergency water investigation, the 3 Town’s waste water consents which is part of the on-going sewerage treatment upgrade.

The Martinborough Town Hall strengthening is also down to be funded in the 2013-2014 financial year. This is a very significant project for our community and the Town Hall Working Group is beavering away putting plans into place with the view of raising funds for the refurbishment that will coincide with the strengthening work. There will be further information forthcoming in the next 4 to 6 weeks. In the meantime if you wish to assist or have some great ideas please give me a call.

Public Toilets, the only bad comments I’ve heard, remove the flashing lights!

Amalgamation; not going to bore you, there’s enough in the local media, but two words representation and democracy, affordability is important but one can always cut the cloth to suit.
Cheers Councillor Stevens