Vacant office use confusion at meeting

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 236, 22 March 1988, Page 3

Vacant office use confusion at meeting

The future use of the old Waimarino Bulletin offices was the subject of a confused discussion at the last meeting of the Ohakune Borough Council on Thursday. Council had received letters from two parties seeking to use the offices. The Waimarino Community Advice Service asked to be considered as tenants of the council owned offices, as did real estate agent Cherry Sutton. Councillor Ron Burrows moved that the council give the whole building to Waimarino Community Advice Service rent free. Council heard that Cherry Sutton had offered the WCAS space in the office as part of

her proposal to run an office time share system. Cr Burrows said he had heard from WCAS that they were not happy with the space allocated to them. "That is not the impression that I received from my meeting with these people," said Mayor Bill Taylor. "They expressed absolute delight that they could share the premises." Cr Burrows suggested giving- the WCAS the space they wanted and leasing the rest to Cherry Sutton. After much discussion on the matter Cr Margaret Horne commented on the advertisement in the Bulletin concerning the office time- share proposal. A number of councillors expressed concern that Mrs Sutton had 'jumped the gun' by advertising for sub-ten-ants when council had

not confirmed the decision to rent the office to her. Mayor Bill Taylor spoke against Cr Burrows' motion saying as far as he knew the two groups were in accord. Cr Ellen Gould agreed saying the two parties would compliment each other. In answer to Cr Sue's concern that perhaps the WCAS would not be given enough floor space Mayor Taylor said that in the meeting with himself, town clerk Edith Moore, WCAS representatives and Mrs Sutton, all had expressed happiness with the solution. Cr Sue suggested requesting a floor plan of the office showing the WCAS share of the space. Cr Burrows' motion was then put to council and lost.

Cr Sue then moved for an amendment to the Finance and Administration Committee's decision to rent the space to Cherry Sutton. The amendment called for was that Mrs Sutton be asked for a floor plan of the office for council approval. Mayor Bill Taylor said in this there was an element of protection for the WCAS. The motion was put to council and carried.