Pool prices will rise but the decision was not made lightly after a Masterton district councillor's code of conduct was questioned at a meeting on Wednesday.
An hour-long fee increases debate over the CLM-operated Genesis Energy Recreation Centre got personal when councillor Brent Goodwin accused chief executive Wes ten Hove of
reporting a "political document" to councillors.
"For me this is a political document that the chief executive has presented us with. When CLM wanted the contract they said one thing and when they got it they started saying a completely different thing."
Councillor Edwin Perry made a point of order, saying to Mr Goodwin "if I were in your position I would retract the comment and apologise to Wes".
Councillors individually made it clear they did not support Mr Goodwin's comment and would not tolerate that kind of behaviour in council chambers.
Throughout the debate, Mr Goodwin maintained it was "a point of the English language" and he had clearly expressed his own opinion, which he was entitled to voice.
Councillor Judith Callaghan said she didn't come to council meetings for a lesson in semantics, to which Mayor Garry Daniell began reading from the Masterton District Council code of conduct.
"It's quite clear from the standing orders your remark was offensive and therefore it should be retracted."
Councillor Chris Peterson proposed Mr Goodwin be made to retract the comment and apologise to Mr ten Hove and councillors voted unanimously in favour of him doing so.
Mr Goodwin refused to but said he would "report back" at the next meeting after consulting a professional about his rights.
Councillors voiced anger at the refusal but were silenced when councillor Lyn Patterson asked: "What are you going to do? Physically remove councillor Goodwin?"
After several failed resolutions on how CLM could cover their extra costs without increasing children's prices, it was accepted that both children and adults would incur a 50-cent increase.
