Peck stands firm on retaining Raetihi agency hours

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 635, 7 May 1996, Page 5

Peck stands firm on retaining Raetihi agency hours

Cr Bob Peck made an impassioned plea for the retention of the Council's Raetihi Agency hours when

the Ruapehu District Council met to consider community support services as part of the 1 996/

97 Draft Annual Plan. The proposal in the Draft Annual Plan was to reduce the time the agency would

be open to the public to 10am-2pm, Monday to Friday. At present the agency is open 8.30am-

1 2. 1 5pm and 1 pm-4.00pm. In making this proposal for a reduction of hours, council officers claimed that it was not expected there would be any decrease in the service provided to the community but Mr Peck challenged this saying that he had received 15 letters (which he produced) as well as many verbal representations from members of the community to preserve the status quo. He said businesses were prepared to contribute towards the cost of keeping the agency operating at the present level. One letter received from a business in Seddon Street stated, that if the agency hours are reduced, he would relocate in Ohakune. Mr Peck reminded councillors that many businesses in Raetihi had already closed down, or relocated elsewhere and said, if this trend continued there would be no Seddon Street around which to develop a Mainstreet programme. Chief executive, Cliff Houston said that to maintain the status quo will require funding of $16,000 per year, to cover wages and power and this will mean asking ratepayers to TURN TO P6

Raetihi agency hours

FROM P 5 pay more on their Ward Rate, and that to have two agencies (or service centres) in such close proximity (Raetihi and Ohakune) didn't make much economic sense. "Perhaps we should close down the Ohakune Service Centre and re-establish one in Raetihi!" Cr John Compton said that the local community should be heard before any decision is made. When Mr Peck again argued vehemently for the retention of the present Raetihi agency hours and loudly insisted that, "we the community and the business community want that service and we should be heard", councillors were asked if any of them wished to comment. No response was forthcoming, a stunned silence having descended on the room. ■