Toll-Free Phone

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 411, 5 November 1991, Page 4

Toll-Free Phone

• So, once again, ratepayers in the southern region of the Ruapehu District (formerly the Waimarino) have been disadvantaged by this enforced amalgamaItion with our northern neighbours. I wonder how many of the 9,000 or so ratepayers in the southern region (Waiouru,

Ohakune, Raetihi, Rangataua, Karioi, Tangiwai, Horopito and National Park) have realised that they now have to pay a toll charge if they want to speak directly with the Ruapehu District Council and its executive officers in Taumarunui on the telephone? When this amalgamation with Taumarunui was forced on us some 23 years ago we were assured by the RDC that ratepayers in the southern region would be provided with a free and direct line of communication with their council offices as in former times, and a toll-free number (0812/55155) was set up for that purpose. This gave us the same free access to Council that ratepayers in Taumarunui and the northern region enjoy - and still enjoy - without incurring the additional burden of a toll charge phone call. By cancelling that toll-free service, the RDC have not only imposed this extra financial burden on ratepayers in the southern region but have further contributed to the discontent, alienation and isolation being felt by ratepayers in the Waimarino. It is true that some Council services have been retained in the southern region through their agencies in Ohakune and Raetihi but this is neither satisfactory nor convenient when a direct line of communication with the decision makers is reauired.

'Southern Ratepayer'