Kirton berates council $3m loan petitioners

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 639, 4 June 1996, Page 1

Kirton berates council $3m loan petitioners

Tactics of the organisers of a petition trying to stop the Ruapehu District Coun cil's plans to buy a Taumarunui Quarry and then set up a holding company drew the ire of mayor Weston Kirton at the council's monthly meeting on Friday.

Mr Kirton roundly criticised the petitioners for what he said was deliberately spreading misinformation about the issues in an attempt to gain support for two petitions, one to stop the purchase of Byford's Quarry (which failed to get the required number of signatures) and one to stop the

raising of a loan to set up Ruapehu Holdings Limited. People had been gi ven the impression that a total of $4.8 million was being borrowed to buy the quarry alone and this was 'totally untrue and misleading', said chief executive Cliff Houston.

"We have made it quite clear why we are borrowing this $3m," said Mr Kirton. "Mr Golden has taken it upon himself to create havoc in the community and entice people to sign his petition," he said. "I don't mind open, honest debate but when misinformation is spread, that's not fair." Petition short The council heard that the second petition was signed by 742 people and that it appeared that 5 1 signatures were invalid. To force a poll on the raising of the $3m "Holding Company EstablishmentLoan l996",morethan 1 222 ratepayer signatures were needed. While all people of voting age can vote for the council, only enrolled ratepayers (those whose names appear as the occupier of a rateable property) can sign a petition blocking the raising of a council loan. Mr Golden claimed the advertisement which was published in the council's own publication Ruapehu District News was misleading because it referred to a ratepayer electoral roll and that there was "no such thing". In a repori to the council, finance manager Erik Lei explained that the Local Authorities Act 1956 sets out the rules governing such polls and petitions, and that the Act defines how a 'ratepayer electoral roll' is to be compiled if it is required. Cr Irene Dampest (Taumarunui) said she supported the raising of the loan but that the council should not disregard the petition as it represented a large number of people. "I believe many signatures represent people who have been listening to the misinformation," said Mr Kirton. "If people knew the facts better, then you wouldn't see this level of support for a poll." Cr Eddie Turley (National Park) said councillors were elected to make decisions such as the one before them. "I am happy and proud of what I did (on the Ruapehu Holdings Limited establishment subcommittee). One must weigh up the pros and cons, and we did so, and I believe this decision (setting Turn to Page 2

Kirton berates loan petitioners

FROM PAGE 1 up RHL and buying the quarry) is in the best interests of the Ruapehu District as a whole," he said. Golden reply The council voted unanimously confirming the special order to raise the $3m loan, then to receive Mr Lei's report. They then invited Mr Golden into the chamber to speak to the council on his submission on the transfer of equity of Ruapehu Construction Limited to RHL. Mr Kirton told councillors and Mr Golden that the issue of setting up the hold-

ing company and buying the quarry had already been debated at length and the decisions confirmed and that he would now only al-

low discussion on the proposed transfer of equity. Cr Stuart Shaw said Mr Kirton' s directive in effect ruled out discussion on all

of the points raised in Mr Golden' s submission and asked could any part of it be discussed. 'Try me," said Mr Kirton.

FOOTNOTE: Mr Houston told councillors that reforms before parliament would see the provision for ratepayer polls abolished.