Editorial: Chief executive caught in the crossfire

Mark Dawson, Editor of Wanganui Chronicle

Kym Fell replaced Kevin Ross as Whanganui District Council chief executive in January not unaware of the complexities and controversies that infect the failed wastewater treatment plant like a bad rash.

He came briefed and ready. But I wonder if he was prepared for the complexities and controversies that surround a local election in a small city like Whanganui.

Even his harshest critics seem ready to admit he has made a decent fist of things since he took over at the council, yet last week he became political fodder in a couple of electioneering maneouvres.

Firstly, councillor Philippa Baker-Hogan, having made a point about treatment plant costs, publicly called him "sloppy" and accused him of scaremongering. A completely unjustified attack.

Then council candidate David Bennett, while revealing emails about the new treatment plant between himself and Ministry of Health adviser John Harding, unwisely pulled Mr Fell into his scenario and said that the council chief executive would not speak to Mr Harding.

In fact, the reality is that most people would rightly understand that if a ministry official called him during working hours with concerns about the treatment plant, Mr Fell would indeed take the call.

Mr Harding has, over more than two years, raised valid issues around the new plant, and has had regular communication with the council - including its chief executive - about such matters.

Mr Harding's problem now is that, rather than dealing with the council, he is dealing with a council contender and has found himself wrapped up in a little local politicking which is surely well outside the bounds of his brief as a ministry official.

I suggested last week that some aspects of the election campaign had got a bit grubby. Let's hope that policies, ideas and vision now carry us to the finish line at 12 noon next Saturday.