Concerning council arrogance

At a recent submission hearing on Masterton District’s Long Term Plan, the council was called upon to honour its 2018 social objective to have “A communityled and council-supported approach to community development”.

To date, there has been no consultation with the community on a proposal for a new civic centre at the northern end of town.

How can we trust them with a $30 million-plus spend when it has not even attempted to consult with the ratepayers who must foot the bill?

Mayor Lyn Patterson, Deputy Mayor Graham Mcclymont, and councillors Brent Gare, Tina Nixon, Sandy Ryan, and Frazer Mailman, feel this is okay.

Furthermore, the council’s stated objectives also include “Having a community which is proud of its cultural heritage and identity” and “Has a commitment to work collaboratively as stewards of the local environment”.

Where is the attempt to be stewards of the local environment and collaborate with the community?

The “old town hall” is a significant heritage facility or “taonga”.

It is akin to a marae which is defined as the focal point of communities throughout New

Zealand . ... Maori people see their marae as turangawaewae – their place to stand and belong.

The Times-age reported that both non-voting iwi representatives also supported the “new facility”, which from their perspective would “create a Maori space”.

Would Ngati Kahungunu and Rangitane o Wairarapa be supportive of moving their marae to another location? Or, would they build a new, earthquake-safe, multipurpose marae at the same place that connected with their past, their iwi, their whanau?

If there are compelling

reasons to build a new civic centre at a new site, let the community hear them.

The arrogance of the council is concerning.

Nevertheless, I thank those councillors [Tim Nelson, David Holmes, Gary Caffell, Bex Johnson, and Chis Peterson] who have listened to the community and expressed concern with the cost and the decision-making process.

Sadly, it appears that most of the council have forgotten that they were elected to serve the community.