Critic angers Raetihi councillors

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 21, 28 October 1987, Page 1

Critic angers Raetihi councillors

A letter sent by a Raetihi ratepayer concerning alleged "secret expenditure" of ratepayers1 money by council in securing a doctor for the town has angered Raetihi Borough councillors. In her letter to council, which met with a heated response from councillors at last week's full council meeting, Mrs Jesse Seaman stated that she would not accept the secret expenditure of public monies to subsidise a medical practitioner or locum for Raetihi e.g. rent free housing and maintenance costs which are supported by the Raetihi ratepayer. Mrs Seaman informed council that they should approach the matter in a more professional manner if they are seeking a permanent appointment of a doctor. "Should the subsidies seem necessary, you should test the will of the Raetihi ratepayer before eommitting your monies to such a scheme," she wrote. Mayor Garrick Workman and Cr Leigh Ryland refuted Mrs Seaman's claim of secret dealings with ratepayers' monies. Mr Workman said the adCont'd on p. 16

Critic angers Raetihi councillors

Cont'd fromp. 1 vertisements for a doctor were placed in newspapers and medical bulletins _nationwide. They included incentives such as free rental and assistance with removal expenses. "There has not been any councillors who have not been approached about finding a doctor and therefore we acted in the best interests of the community," Cr Ryland stated. Mr Workman said offering incentives was something the council had to do in order to attract a doctor to the town. "It was an incentive thal needed to be offered. Whereas once it was enough to provide the house and surgery on a rental basis, that no longer was enough to attract a doctor here," he said. "I can see it from a pensioner's point of viewthey are paying rates and perhaps also paying doctor's fees as well. Then they must ask themselves the question - Is it better that way or is it better not to have a doctor at all?"

The Council is to write to Mrs Seaman, outlining what was discussed at the meeting. While the surgery is currently closed, a permanent doctor will begin at the end of November.