Editorial: Simpson reaction is odd

Robust criticism in a healthy, democratic society is a must - one must be able to give and take.

Last Wednesday, the Northern Advocate's opinion columnist Nickie Muir struck a nerve with her criticism of Whangarei District Council chief executive Mark Simpson.

In her June 6 column, she observed Mr Simpson had been an open supporter of the Hundertwasser Art Centre proposed for Whangarei's Town Basin.

Ms Muir questioned whether this was a modern-day CEO's role and also made the observation that private sector CEOs often move on after five years, and that Mr Simpson had been CEO for nearly 20 years.

(This was incorrect, Mr Simpson has been CEO for nearly 14 years.)

Mr Simpson took umbrage at the criticism and confronted her at her workplace.

Nothing wrong with that - Ms Muir should be prepared to take what she dishes out.

It is part of being an opinionated columnist.

But Mr Simpson's behaviour and conduct were odd, to say the least.

He asked personal questions about Ms Muir's daughter's age and schooling and declined to elaborate on the relevance of his queries.

He made sure Ms Muir understood that his wife was from a founding Northland family and was well connected.

I doubt Mr Simpson was inviting Ms Muir to a family reunion.

There was a clear "big cheese" impression left with some vague references left wide open to interpretation.

Ms Muir is a 1.7m tall cafe owner, mum and part-time newspaper columnist.

Mr Simpson is the 1.8m-plus chief executive of the Whangarei District Council.

She says she found Mr Simpson's visit intimidating.

She could also be forgiven for finding it confusing, given the obtuse manner in which the conversation started.

Never mind, Ms Muir's democratic right to express herself has not been quelled by Mr Simpson's visit - she writes about it today on the facing page.