Letters to Editor

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 6, 12 July 1983, Page 10

Letters to Editor

An Open Letter A couple of items correspondence in your edition of last week remind me of a more significant point than those raised by your two correspondents which is worthy of mention at this time. Nominations open in a couple of weeks for this year's local body elections. It is in the. interests of the community that as many people as possible, from as wide a cross-section of the community as possible offer themselves for election. It is only in this way that a council may be eleeted that is representative of the whole community. And this is important. As I have stressed recently we are more than a single-interest community.

We are, above all, a community of families, of individuals. A community with small children, youth, adults and the elderly: as much a cross-section of New Zealand life, in background, interests, heritage, as any in this country. We are not, and should never be, a onedimensional, sectional community. Sure, for example tourism is increasingly important, but we will never be just a community of skiers, for skiers or snoworiented business any more than Ohakune was ever just a railway town. It is important in these •days of the rapid development of our town that people, men and women, from all walks of life and all age groups, offer themselves for election to the town government. Decisions are required. Decisions affecting us all must be made. Such decisions, of course, won't please everyone and never can. Quite clearly mistakes can be made and this is why the. more representative the group that sits around a council table the better. Both letters in your recent issue highlight valid points. Footpaths or computers? Well, quite a lot of footpath work has been done in the past year. Not enough, of course. I would dearly like to see one outside my house! Computer? The rate demands may look fancier; admittedly small consolation when you have to pay but, in the long run, the computer is an item of equipment that, in this technological age is not only necessary but cost saving for the ratepayer. The letter on ski-hire highlights another issue and one that is currently being addressed by council in the light of the good of the whole community. It is an issue that must be debated and, of course, in due process. will be. The matter deserves more thought than that shown in the shrill petulance of your correspondent. I trust the gentleman will make his submissions on the matter when the time comes for Council to consider the topic. The issue has, as yet, not been decided. Positive in-put on the matter is distinctly preferable to singularly graceless and negative harping. However, the point I make at this juncture is, quite simply, that it is of great importance to us all that the community exercises its options in the approaching election. In simple terms: stand up and be counted. The work of an eleeted council is not easy. It is time-consuming, often difficult, very absorbing and never-ending. That our present council has coped as well as they have is to their credit; a growing town, a stagnant national economy, inflation and so forth notwithstan-

dmg.

W.

Taylor

Mayor