Council man "had a gutsful"

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 314, 21 November 1989, Page 1

Council man "had a gutsful"

BY

DONNA

MCGRATH

Family and friends gathered together this week to farewell Raetihi's much appreciated borough foreman Craig Ryland.

Craig, known to many Raetihi people for what they see as his ability to create textured beauty through

simplicity in landscaping, is leaving his friends, family and home for about six Turn page 2

Perth for council man

From page 1 months to travel to Perth in search of better opportunities. Despite leaving, Craig dream is to one day purchase a farm of his own in the Waimarino area. Craig and his family moved from National Park to Raetihi where he took a job as a labourer on the Raetihi Borough Council. After two months Craig was promoted to borough foreman until the Waimarino amalgamation took place where Craig then became Urban Overseer for the Waimarino district council. Craig's title changed again not long after, with another amalgamation, and he became the new Reserve and Services Overseer for the South Ruapehu

District. It was during these changing positions that Craig felt resentment within his job for the first time. He says there was a lack of confidence from district manager John Murrihy as to Craig's ability to do his job efficiently. He says also, there is a fearful sense of irresponsibility towards the ratepayers within the management levels. Craig speaks critically of the cheap housing rentals and cars made available to highly paid members of management. He feels that this shows that the management are self serving rather than serving ratepayers. Craig comments on the fact that the Southern Ruapehu District

does not have a registered engineer - position he feels is very important to the structuring of the Waimarino. Craig's decision to leave both his employment and his country is obviously not to seek opportunity alone. Circumstances within the pr-esent regime, he says, has foreed him tc make a new beginning. It is unfortunate for Craig that a bitter taste will go with him as he leaves, but he feels he is not alone in the bitterness that exists. He says he has many friends within the Raetihi and Ohakune townsh:ps that manage to put back the smiles that he says disappeared when Raetihi starting loosing its identity 18 months ago. Craig says he is only one of many that have cried out to the public to make them aware of what he sees are dangers within the controlling powers of the South Ruapehu District. He says he can't but wonder how many more will join the queue before someone takes notice and acts upon it. The Bulletin was unable to contact former Waimarino District manager and present Ruapehu District Community Enterprises manager John Murrihy yesterday to comment on Craig Ryland's claims. Craig leaves a message of thanks to his staff who he says have been part of his happy Raetihi work and memories.