Mayor denies split

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 232, 23 February 1988, Page 23

Mayor denies split

Raetihi Mayor Garrick Workman is angry about comments from Ohakune Borough Councillors concerning the impending Waimarino local body amalgamation. He rejects the possibility that there is an "us and them" situation between the Ohakune Borough council and the Raetihi Borough and Waimarino County councils. At last week's Ohakune Borough Council meeting Mayor Bill Taylor had said that, sadly, five weeks away from amalgamation they were still three separate authorities. "I would have hoped

that at this stage there would be evidence of a real marriage, not a shot gun one," said Mayor Taylor. Raetihi Mayor Garrick Workman said newspaper reports of that meeting were misleading. "It gives a false picture of the feeling among the councils," said Mr Workman. With reference to the amalgamation steering committee meeting on Wednesday last week where there was intense argument among steering committee members concerning staff, Mayor Workman said everyone was given a chance to speak. "There was no block voting, everyone had a chance to speak their minds," he said. "Any suggestion that there was is mischievious

and plain electioneering." "All three authorities have had good service from their staff and want to retain them, it's as simple as that," said Mayor Workman."We listened intently to what the Ohakune delegation had to say on town planning for example." Mayor Bill Taylor tempered his comments about the split: "If any animosity exists we're as guilty as the other authorities," he said. This comment drew agreement from other Ohakune councillors. "I think much will rest on the shoulders of those people elected onto council and very particularly on the shoulders of the new mayor," said Mayor T aylor.