Waimarino mayor to run for Ruapehu

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 300, 18 August 1989, Page 4

Waimarino mayor to run for Ruapehu

Waimarino mayor Garrick Workman has announced his intention to run for mayor of the new Ruapehu District Council.1

He said he has been considering the decision for * some time with much discussion with those supporting his nomination. Garrick was elected to the Raetihi Borough Council in 1974 and says he gained considerable experience in local government in the 15 years since then. He served as deputy mayor before being elected as mayor of Raetihi in 1983. He served on various council committees as well as the No 8 District Roads Council, the Wanganui United Coun-

cil and the Waimarino Civil Defence Committee, which he chaired and served as controller. He said his election as mayor of the recently formed Waimarino District followed an active involvement in the amalgamation of the three former councils. He was elected with a healthy majority, he believes, "due to the trust people placed in me to lead the new council fairly, impartially -and in a united manner". Mr Workman said it is for those reasons plus the experience

through the Waimarino, merger that he was elected by representatives of the Taumarunui, Waiouru and Waimarino areas to chair the Ru-' apehu District Transi-, tion Committee, which is the group charged with the responsibility of ensuring the new council organisation is up and running by 1 November. "Having been given these opportunities and responsibilities I have worked hard and enjoyed contributing to the operation and reform of local government at this level," he said. "I would very much like to further this con-

tribution as mayor of the Ruapehu District." Challenges Mr Workman sees as facing the new council are many.

"First and foremost it must operate as a united team. It must bring

lown and country together and to that end it is imperative that a real understanding develops between rural and urban philosophies and a determination to work, through all council business wearing a 'Ruapehu hat'. "As well, the new council must come to terms with its new role of developing and approving policy as opposed to the 'hands on' role it has played in the past. "The implementation of the policy decisions lies in the hands of the General Manager and his team." Mr Workman says he

has the experience and ability to successfully lead the Ruapehu District Council in future, having led the Waimarino through a similar process. Garrick Workman was born in Raetihi in 1946 and raised on a Pipiriki Road farm and educated locally. He settled in Raetihi and married his wife Maureen. Together they bought the Raetihi book, stationery and jewelery business which they operated for 17 years. He is currently manager of the Waiouru Army Training Group Army Garrison Institute, the company that oper-

ates the Waiouru camp supermarket, liquor store, department store and cafeterias. He has been active in community and sports organisation and has been a member of the Raetihi Volunteer Fire Brigade, chairman of the Raetihi businessmen's and promotions committee, Waimarino Area Health Watch Committee. He is now a member of the Waimarino Squash * Club and the Taihape referees' Association. Mr Workman also intends to stand for councillor for the Waimarino Ward.