Ohakune rates match city's says councillor

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 242, 10 May 1988, Page 5

Ohakune rates match city's says councillor

By

Lynley

Ward

Ghakune runs the risk of becoming home to the jet-setting scene if rates aren't monitored closely, says Gouncillor Peggy Frew. "Ohakime rates are very high - 1 would say they are close to being on a par with those of Takapuna, one of Auckland's affluent seaside suburbs. "It is important to keep the cost of rates down." Cr Frew (42) is Waimarino District Council's only member who was not previously on a council. She says that if they are

not held at a reasonably level, Ohakune will lose families to nearby towns where the rates are considerably lower. Her success in the recent Waimarino District Council elections follows more than 10 years' experience on public committees. Cr Frew was first involved with the Ohakune Plunket Society, Playcentre and Parent-Teacher Association. "I took the normal path most women follow," she says. She chaired both the Ruapehu College Board of

Governors and the Palmerston North Teachers' Col-

lege selection committee. For seven years she was

also the North Ward elected representative on the Wanganui Education ' Board. Last year she resigned ; from the Education Board and went back to the class- : room as arelieving teacher. Cr Frew had an unusual apprenticeship for local bodies - as a part-time reporter covering their meetings for the old Waimarino Weekly. She says it took a "bit of encouragement" from friends to convince her to stand for council. "With the formation of

the district council, it did seem like an interesting time to be a part of the council." She is keen to see the council work as "a whole body " heeding the needs of all the people it represents. Cr Frew as lived just outside Ohakime for 23 years. She is active in her husband's market gardening business, as well as doing relief teaching at Ohakune Primaiy. Her interests include gardening, reading and walking - but her husband and four children aged 13 to 21 come first.