Amalgamation Disaster

Ruapehu Bulletin, 7 September 1990, Page 4

Amalgamation Disaster

• Rate-payers of the old W aimarino County will, it seems certain, be wishing they could turn back the clock when they receive this next rate demand from the Taumarunui based Ruapehu District Council. We knew we had an efficient county which provided the services required at reasonable cost and didn't saddle itself with debt. However, billed by the man charged with implementing Michael Bassett's grand plan to destroy rural contrql of the New Zealand countryside, the Waimarino County was forced to join first the debt laden borough of Ohakune, and Raetihi Borough in the Waimarino District Council. The result was that most farm land on the Waimarino plain received a substantial rate increase. For example my Karioi property rates increased in one year from $3,846.79 to $4,508.69. The surplus funds that the

Waimarino County had acCumulated through prudent management, were absorbed by the Waimarino District Council and a year later taken by that body into the Ruapehu District Council. It seems the reward for being the only organisation to join the Ruapehu District Council in credit is that we are to be encumbered by the largest rate increase. There is no justice in that. The entire local body re-organisation is emerging as an unmitigated disaster. That almost ten per cent of the rates collected will go in salaries to the top executives and in attendance fees for cpuncillors is a scandal. All the subtle and not so subtle casuistry of the highly paid Mr Houston and our full time Mayor cannot justify what is proposed for rate-payers of the old Waimarino County.

Ron

Frew