Constructive criticism

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 297, 1 August 1989, Page 2

Constructive criticism

Normally I don't complain or react to press coverage at-

tributed to remarks I have made whether they be factorial or otherwise. However, this is one occasion when I believe on the one hand an explanation is necessary and on the other a little constructive criticism is appropriate. With regard to the latter I have applauded the interest the Bulletin has taken on the future of Health Services for the Waimarino district. It concerns me though that the headline in last week's edition 'Rural Health plan now on shaky grounds' is unduly pessimistic. It was based on the opinion of some doctor in Wanganui who may have been having a bad day when he made comments about Rural Hospitals closing. Comments that have no foundation whatsoever other than, Wanganui will combine with Palmerston North to form a Wanganui/Manawatu Area Health Board. No doubt because the comments were negative they were given prominent coverage in both the Wanganui Chronicle and the Bulletin. Certainly I concede only time will tell what the future holds for Rural Hospitals, ot Health Centres as they will become, under the management of a new Area Health Board. Here in the Waimarino we have acted as positively and constructively as we can on this issue and have been assured in the meantime there will be no hospital closure, rather an improvement in health services genTurn page 11

Constructive criticism MAILBAG

From page 2 erally. Let's devote our energies to the pdsitivc aspects of what is proposed, Mr Editor, rather than dwell on the negative. In the case of an explanation I refer to remarks I was quoted as making at the Raetihi 'Doom & Gloom' meeting last week. The remarks about the Waimarino Service Centre were partially incorrect. They were taken out of context and were mischievous in that they suggested I was displaying a parochial Raetihi bias. In fact I was responding to a question from the floor late in the meeting on the cost of the delivery centre to Raetihi and Waimarino ratepayers. At the request of the Chairman I spoke earlier in the meeting specifically about progress to date re: local government reform as it affected the Waimarino district. I then went on to emphasis the impor-

tance of promoting Raetihi positively and the necessity of providing an active, competitive retail centre. At no stage did I have any intention of making an issue of the service centre. As far as I'm concerned the matter is history. The commission have ruled that it operate in Ohakune. The only way that decision can be overturned is by order in council (at Government level) we should now get on with the business of setting up the new Ruapehu District Council. I take pride in the fact I was elected a Waimarino Mayor. I have done my utmost to ensure that I act fairly and impartially on all occasions. I don't take kindly therefore to 'botched up' press reports of this type particularly where the trust and confidence Waimarino people have in me to carry out my duties as Mayor is undermined in such a manner.

G S

Workman