FROM THE MAYOR – December 2024
By Martin Connelly
This is my final column for the year. I wish all readers of The Star a very merry Christmas.
Please have a stress-free and relaxing holiday break. I hope I will see many of you on one of the several Christmas Parades around the district.
To the editors and people who make The Star happen, especially David and Ray, thank you for all you do and a special Merry Christmas to you both.
My final Christmas message goes to the people who run Kitchener’s Café and all those who helped
them out last weekend. This repugnant act of destruction was followed by a huge community
contribution of cleaning, tidying and supporting. It just shows that a helpful group of neighbours can get us all through life’s nasty blows. A merry and caffeinated Christmas to you all.
One amusing story from that event involves the video footage of the criminal running from the scene of the crime. I gather a family member saw the footage on TV, recognised him, and rang the
police. Thank you to that person, you have my respect and admiration.
Last Wednesday we held our last Council meeting for the year and the best part was a petition
presented by Leah Hawkins with over 1,000 signatures. The petition asked the Council to cap rates at 3%.
Her arguments were persuasive. She reminded listeners of the extent of rate rises over the past 4 to 5 years. She spoke about the stress that excessive rate rises put families under, particularly when the overall economy is as frail as it currently is.
But one aspect of her presentation disturbed me. She reported that a much greater number of people expressed agreement with the aim of the petition, but could not be bothered signing it as they said, “the Council will not listen.”
I can assure all readers that I do listen and so did the councillors from the Martinborough Ward who were at her presentation. And to prove this point, I refer back to the rate rises of two years ago. These were much higher than councillors had originally planned because of the overwhelming number of people who made submissions asking for more money to be spent to safeguard water supplies. I repeat, we do listen and that listening will always favour the people who make submissions, sign petitions and make their opinions known.
An even more disturbing aspect of Leah’s presentation was her statement that some other people
did not sign the petition as they feared retribution by the Council. I have no idea where, or how,
such an idea could have entered people’s heads. But obviously some people think that there are parts of the Council that can be vindicative or vengeful to its clients.
Can I say two things to those people.
Firstly, if you have any examples of such behaviour, please get
in touch with me, the CEO, or one of your councillors. If it exists, this behaviour needs to be stamped out.
Secondly, as a Council we are determined to have a client focus in everything we do. Last week I read an email that started off by saying to a Council officer “Thank you for your prompt response, it
is appreciated.” Then the writer went on the say “May I also say that, over the last six months, I have dealt with a number of SWDC Council officers … and every time the response has been quick,
efficient and helpful!”
Two years ago, I doubt very much if I would have read something along these lines but more and more I get feedback expressing confidence that problems and enquiries are taken seriously, responded to promptly, and handled respectfully. We have some great customer relations staff; they are there to help you.
On that concluding note, I look forward to catching up in the New Year.
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