Towards 2000

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 315, 28 November 1989, Page 2

Towards 2000

The publication Towards 2000 has been printed and the article "New mayor equipped to handle the challenge" was written by Mark Ebrey following a full and frank discussion between us both, shortly after my election as mayor. A draft copy was made available to me for my perusal and I had the opportunity of making alteration I felt necessary prior to it being printed. Unfortunately with all that has occurred recently I was unable to check through it until after the publication had gone to print. While Mark's account of our discussion is reasonably accurate there are a couple of points I felt ought to be made. The informal council meeting mentioned early in the article has since been held. It provided for us an ideal opportunity of meeting and getting to know one another. This I believe was particularly important for our newer councillors who were

no doubt keen to commence but were apprehensive about their new roles as council members. As it turned out this meeting ran very much as I hoped it would. There were positive and constructive contributions from most members. As a result our inaugural meeting ran more smoothly than may have been the case otherwise and it certainly provided the start I was looking for to the new council term. In regard to health services it was not correct for Mark to quote me as commenting that Waimarino have "always looked North to Taumarunui." There is no doubt many Waimarino residents prefer to come this way as Taumarunui had been able to provide a quick efficient service as well many people preferred the drive to Taumarunui as opposed to the Para Para Highway. Nearly all the Waimarino maternity, accident and general patients are referred to

Wanganui Base Hospital. Given the inclusion of the Waimarino - Waiouru area within the Manawatu- Wang anui Area Health Board, it is unlikely this will alter to any great degree in the future. Other than these two points I am very happy with Mark's report. To conclude I will just comment that in my view it seems as though this council will combine well as a team. This augers well for the future. Sure these are early days yet and I know a great deal of hard work is ahead of us all as we get the new organisation up and running. May I sincerely thank John Sanford and the Taumarunui Gazette for a fine job that they have done over the years and wish Rod Gill and the Ruapehu Press, and Robert Milne and staff of the Ruapheu Bulletin, all the very best as the commuity newspapers serving our community.

G S

Workman

Mayor