01/02/2005

Oto is booming and ready to celebrate

I take this rather belated opportunity to wish all our residents, ratepayers, business
people, farmers and visitors a happy and prosperous 2005, from me, mayoress Jo, councillors, Community Boards and the staff of Otorohanga District Council.
I thoroughly enjoyed Kawhia's New Year hospitality - the fireworks and waka regatta were spectacular. My thanks to everyone who contributed.
Well, all that could be said about the events that took place in Southeast Asia on Boxing Day has already been widely documented.
Like everyone else in New Zealand, l find it impossible not to feel shock and sympathy for those affected, and a deep appreciation of the environment in which we live.
Otorohanga District Council has established a Mayoral Tsunami Relief Fund, which will be operating until the end of March.
Donations may be made at council's offices, and ODC will take advice as to the most appropriate recipients for the collection.
There are many recognised agencies, local bodies, service groups and individuals channelling aid from generous New Zealanders to the areas most in need, so there
will be no difficulty in identifying a suitable use for the funds.
Operation Phoenix is an organisation that is taking 14 Waikato tradespeople experienced in reconstruction projects in disaster areas to Matara, a village in Sri Lanka, totally devastated by the tsunami.
They have Sourced funding and pledges of materials, travel and supplies to enable the team to build up to 30 new homes for villagers on Government land in just three weeks during February.
As the call came out so did the volunteers - I am always humbled by the unselfish
generosity and spirit of cooperation shown by our people in times of adversity. I would
also like to sincerely thank those tradespeople from the Otorohanga district who offered their services.
The Otorohanga district is in very good heart as we head into 2005 - building consents remain strong as many commercial and residential developments continue.
The property boom of last year shows no sign of waning and Real Estate agents are being kept busy with strong enquiries.
Council has commenced work on its Rural Community Plan consultation and begins Funding
Review workshops next week, as we begin our next year's work programme estimates.
We have several special events coming up in the Otorohanga community.
Kawhia will be holding its Wild Food Festival on February Feb 5.
We also have Waitangi Day celebrations on February 6, and the first New Zealand's Great
Kiwiana Festival, which has the theme `barbecues and beverages,' will be held on March 12.
You can find out about all this and more on our www.otorohanga.co.nz website.
There is so much happening and it's so enjoyable to be a part of it.

Mayor wants unsightly Red Cross caravan out of CBD

A weekly Red Cross street stall will be an exception to the rule, following a decision by the Otorohanga Community Board to sell the Red Cross caravan.
Mayor Dale Williams described the caravan, which occupies the park on the corner of Maniapoto St and Tuhoro St most Fridays, as old and poorly presented.
"With the reduced parking available on Maniapoto St, the weekly parking of the caravan on this corner is a waste of valuable parking space and an eyesore in the centre of town," said Mr Williams.
His comments were made in a submission to the Otorohanga Community Board.
The caravan costs Otorohanga District Council time and money, with two council staff required to deliver and collect the caravan each Friday, taking them away from other tasks.
"This, along with warrants of fitness, registration, insurance and repairs, costs the ratepayers around $2500 each year," said Mr Williams.
With profits from the caravan sometimes as little as $10 a day, the board decided to sell the caravan.
As an alternative it is proposed a consent be granted to allow the Red Cross to hold regular street stalls on the corner of Tuhoro St.
However, before the decision is finalised, representatives from the council will first consult with stakeholders, including affected businesses and members of the Red Cross.
This decision differs from the council's existing policy, which restricts the number of street stalls to a maximum of two per month.
The policy also prohibits any individual or group from having more than one street stall per year.
ODC chief executive David Hall said the policy regarding street stalls would not be amended. Rather, the Red Cross would be granted an exemption.
The Red Cross is already planning a street stall on February 4 to raise money for the Southeast Asian tsunami appeal.