To the editor

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 31, 24 December 1985, Page 4

To the editor

Ohakune and amalgamation

Dear Sir, I would like to congratulate the Waimarino County Council on its decision not to go ahead with amalgamation of the local bodies unless Ohakune produces an audit report showing the true state of affairs in the borough, financially and structurally. It appears to me that in the near future Ohakune is going to have to spend a great deal of money on essentials, such as roading and footpaths, which are shocking, and a new water, supply, which has been looming for at least ten years. The fact that Ohakune has failed to address these problems during the past five years of its boom period puts the town in the unenviable position of having to find more money now that the economy is tight, and the ability of ratepayers to pay any more is doubtful. I have been watching and

wondering how Ohakune intended to get out of the trap in which it willingly placed itself, and now the strategy is clear. Ohakune intends to use amalgamation to spread its problems to the Waimarino district as a whole. As a ratepayer in. the county, I strongly object to this ploy, and applaud the county council for its acumen. ITQhakune had spent half the time, effort, and money on sensible budgetary control that it has spent on trying, unsuccessfully I might add, to prevent restaurants and ski hires from serving visitors to the town, then rates would be less, there would be fewer empty shops and the town would be a better place to live. To Ohakune I would say — you created your own problems, you solve them. Don't try to palm them off on to others.

Ian F.

Heappey