Council accountability

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 309, 17 October 1989, Page 4

Council accountability

It may be naive of me to assume that the high calibre of persons excluded from employment in the new R.D.C regime is something for which the management could be held accountable. Does council really have to wait for a more serious stuff-up before they take action? Accountability is the main issue here. We have heard "in the last instance, on the last day, the management will be held accountable". But when is this elusive last moment? Will the management

always back away from decisions for which they will be held accountable? I agree with Garrick Workman that Raetihi has been well served in the past by decisions of council and transition committees. However, the confidence of the people in the local body process is now nil. How can it be otherwise when common sense is not prevailing? Cliff Houston stated in the Bulletin last w e e k that "appointments are being made ... based on the operational needs of the new district council." Let us look at the case of Michelle Fredericksen, the former manager of N.Z. Post in Raetihi. When closure was imminent in Raetihi, she gave up a

position in Ohakune Post Office in order to serve the Raetihi Community with her knowledge and experience in the Council's P.O. agency. This agency has, in fact, retained extra services that the P.O. had, solely because of Michelle's appointment to the position. She has also ability at dealing with the public and is, at present, providing a council "interface" with the Raetihi community with a capable and concerned attitude. Who more qualified or suited to "operate postal agency and give the public an opportunity of interface with and inquire to the new council?" It becomes apparent that the management and appeal committee would not find it unreasonable if Santa Claus missed out on the job of distributing presents at Christmas. (And that's not casting aspersions on the elves'

ability to do the job). It's time that the "directors" of this pub-licly-owned company question their management staff a little more closelv on the running

of the'r affairs. The number of managerial blunders has grown steadily and we can only look forward to the one that will stir our councillors enough

to take action. Or ...dare we hope that the new system will offer ratepayers at least a modicum of satisfaction.

Leigh

Ryland