Claret on carpet is probable

I am one of those people who like to make predictions.

Even if it means you finish with egg all over your face when the end result is nothing like you suggested it would be.

And I like to read about other people's predictions too.

If only to take the mickey out of them when they too find themselves eating humble pie.

So I was fascinated the other day to read a column predicting the make-up of a Wellington super city council if that is what finally happens when all the debate about the shape of local government reform in this part of the country is done and dusted.

Wairarapa would likely have just the one representative on such an august body, a point which has already created much head shaking here because of a perceived notion we would quickly become an "also-ran" in the decision-making process.

Anyway that's another story sure to be told in a much more detailed manner in the weeks ahead as the various parties fight to convince their communities, and then the Local Government Commission, they have the best plan. The only prediction I have there is for blood on the floor ... it could get nasty!!!

The writer of the article of which I am talking came to the conclusion the battle for the Wairarapa seat around the super city table would come down to a two-horse race, South Wairarapa head honcho Adrienne Staples up against Carterton chieftain Ron Mark. And for a variety of reasons it was Staples who got the judge's nod.

What made this whole exercise so interesting was that even if the super city idea is shot down the same two people would have to be front-runners to spearhead any single Wairarapa council as well.

Certainly they have both been at the forefront of the working party group which has recommended such a move and just as certainly they will each have a host of supporters to push their cause.

Gary Caffell is a Masterton district councillor.