31/01/2006

Ready to take on 2006

Most of us are now back from the well earned break, refreshed and ready for the challenges of 2006.
The Otorohanga district continues in very good heart with the recent warm rain welcome at this time of the farming season. All types of properties still have high buye demand, our trades people report strong workloads, and although around election time was quiet for retail and service businesses, most recovered to record very good trading over Christmas.
I had the pleasure of spending New Year out west, where the New Year's Eve fireworks display was absolutely incredible and the following Regatta Day was great fun. I can now say that rowing a whaleboat is definitely more difficult than it looks!
I also attended a barbeque luncheon at Aotea where around 40 residents and ratepayers came along to chat about issues of interest -to them and council. With the increased interest in Aotea since the successful seawall development and Aotea Estate subdivision with homes being constructed, many people's awareness and expectation of Aotea is growing from a small seaside hideaway to a township with community needs.

This year will be very busy for council with a district plan review underway mid year and representation and funding reviews running concurrently. Strategic planning workshops to continue to manage LTCCP expectations begin early February as well as regular council and community board meetings. These processes are important to ensure our rules, policies and objectives continue to meet the expectations of our residents and ratepayers.
If you ever wonder what keeps those of us who choose a life in public office going throughout the hectic days and nights of endless meetings, in times of great stress, disaster or emergency, or wading through a sea of red tape, and what makes people put themselves forward for positions of such public scrutiny and often ridicule, Im going to share this with you. Occasionally something crosses your desk like this Christmas card I received recently, and you realise why you do what you do -
'Dale, thank you for the friendly, positive and inclusive way you participate in our community, and for the encouragement you give and the excellent example you set. We are proud to have you as our mayor. God bless.'
We are proud to be your elected representatives too and my council and I look forward to participating in another fantastic year for the Otorohanga district.