Council Notes

From the 12^th July we enter the pre-election period for the local government elections, which are being held on the 12^th October 2019.  During this time, Council will provide a monthly column to keep you updated on Council activities. Nominations to stand open on the 19^th July and close on the 16^th August 2019.  If you are interested in standing as a local council election candidate, then please do, and to find out more information, you can contact the Electoral Officer at the Council offices, or go along to the Candidate Briefing at the Waihinga Centre, at 7pm on 10 July.

To be able to vote for those candidates who are standing for office, then being enrolled is a must.  Please check that you are on the electoral role; if you are, well done; if not then please register so ensure you don’t miss out on having your say. Check you are enrolled at www.elections.org.nz.

A topic dear to my heart is recycling, and with this in mind, Council is rolling out wheelie bins – these will be delivered during July and August.  The wheelie bins will be used for mixed, non-glass recycling (plastic and paper/cardboard/tins) and will be collected every second week.  The current recycling crates (both) will be used for glass collection only and will be collected on the alternate week from the wheelie bins. The wheelie bins will come with a clip to secure the lid, which should see a stop to plastic containers flying down the street on a windy day.

We will still continue to use the yellow rubbish bags for anything that cannot be recycled and these will still be collected weekly.

Juanita McLellan (teacher) recently took a team of students from Kuranui College over to Wellington to compete in the Shakespeare Festival.  It is a credit to all the students for the success and accolades that they received during the festival. Four Awards is amazing. Our very own Florence Cater was not only a performer, but choreographer for the Tempest. Florence was awarded the Outstanding Student Directed Ensemble Work Award and the whole cast earned Most Elizabethan Production for the connection to the audience.  Well done Florence and the team.

This cold snap is certainly a wake-up call that winter is on its way.  It is heartening to see spring bulbs are starting to appear in the garden and we have passed the shortest day – there can’t be too much of winter left!! Stay warm and take time to enjoy a book curled up by the fire.