Havelock North business head resigns in frustration

RESIGNED: Sam Jackman has resigned as president of the Havelock North Business Association. PHOTO/FILE.

After three years at the helm, Havelock North Business Association president Sam Jackman will be standing down later this month, frustrated that his efforts in the role are not being supported by some members of the association.

The issue came to a head at a recent meeting where some members questioned his leadership and he decided enough was enough.

"I have worked like crazy on this and have had a huge amount of support, but there's a small group of people who do not want to do anything and then complain when you start telling them to get it together.

"I've had enough of the abuse."

He cited recent efforts to introduce a campaign to bring shoppers back to Havelock North as a prime example of how the association wasn't working together.

"It was called 'love a lot' where people would make special offers to get people back in the village after the water crisis.

"I sent an email to all 360 of our members four times and only got 15 responses.

"We have been trying to get people behind what we are doing but sometimes it is really hard because they don't want to get involved."

He said he initially took on the role to give the association a fresh sense of purpose and to give members a reason to get involved.

In an email to members announcing his resignation, he said he had freely given his time, energy, dedication, resources, creative thinking and enthusiasm to the role over the past three years.

"I am proud of what has been achieved and to have worked alongside an equally passionate and dedicated Havelock North Business Association team."

He will give his last president's report at the upcoming AGM on September 28 and he encouraged other members to consider standing for the executive.

Although not sure where he would direct his energies next, he said he was fairly busy with his Hastings District Council marketing adviser role for the Great Things Grow Here campaign, and that the "door is wide open" for future opportunities.