Ruapehu council backs GM's decision

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 315, 28 November 1989, Page 3

Ruapehu council backs GM's decision

The petition asking for the Ruapehu District Council to reconsider the termination of Michelle Fredericksen's contract at the Raetihi postal and council was received without any action being taken, last Friday.

The council decided to support General Manager Cliff Houston's actions despite the pressure from Waimarino people to have the appointment changed. Mr Houston said the Raetihi staff

appointment had been through a review process. He said the council not only had to consider the person who didn't get the job but also the person who did. "I'm quite happy in my own mind that the

proper process of appointment and review was carried out. "I have to concede as a result of this petition that a number of people in Raetihi community are concerned. They have every right to be concerned about the future of their agency and it's our job to make it work. 'The question of who is appointed to the staff I think is quite different. I believe that

personalities are in fact being confused with operations. My job as general manager is to provide effective operation of council activities. "It's axiomatic that if more than one person applies for the same position then someone is not going to get it. I think the circumstances in this case can be considered unfortunate but a decision has been made and the postal

agency will be made to work." Mayor Garrick Workman said he would not comment on the management decision but said the petition did indicate the real concern Raetihi people felt over their postal agency. "If we're going to allow our corporate structure to exist then unfortunately we've got to accept some of the decisions whether we like them or not," said Cr Malcolm. "If we're going to act on this petition we're going to delve into staff matters which is really not our realm." Cr Bennett moved that the council refer the petition, which was signed by about 580 people, to the general manager for him to reevaluate the workload in Raetihi and report back. Cr Bennett said he was aware of a large amount of archival work that needed doing in Raetihi. Mr Houston said if there was work there to do it did not follow that Miss Fredericksen would get the job. "I really don't want to be placed in a position by the council, and I shouldn't be, of telling me who I should employ," said Mr Houston. He said the clear intent of the motion was that if he found work it should go to Miss Fredericksen.

An amendment to the motion -was put to council which gave support to Mr Houston's actions. Cr Kirton said this amendment substantially altered the intent of the motion and should not be allowed, however the amendment stood. "Your worship I think there are issues in this case which I would be happy to dis-

cuss with the council at further length but I don't think they should be discussed while the public are here because there are more than one staff member involved in this issue," said Mr Houston. The amended motion, supporting Mr Houston's actions, was passed with just Cr Bennett voting against it.