Editorial: New mayor sets right tone

Mark Dawson, Editor of Wanganui Chronicle

NEW Whanganui Mayor Hamish McDouall made an impressive debut with his inaugural address at the War Memorial Centre's concert chamber on Wednesday.

Amid the obvious joy in the ceremonial occasion of the swearing in of a new council - and in the election result that brought it about - there needed to be a serious dose of reality.

And the new man did not shirk from those realities which face both our new council and him personally.

He leads a council with seven newcomers and five with previous experience. Those people come with skills and talent, but also with strong personalities and diverse opinions.

Welding them into a cohesive team may not be easy, but it is necessary.

Personal differences will have to be put aside for the common good, and Mr McDouall set the tone for that with a strong opening, knowing that his leadership is likely to determine how well the team comes together. His legal, political and diplomatic skills will come in handy.

The acceptance of his choice of Jenny Duncan as deputy mayor was a positive start.

The mayor was also very clear on his expectations of the standards of behaviour around the council chamber. Respectful communication was imperative, and there was a nod to the dangers that social media could pose to relationships.

He also put the nagging wastewater treatment plant issue out front, along with the genuine concern over the affordability of Whanganui's rates.

So the challenges were acknowledged and understood - but so was the belief that significant successes could be achieved by this council; that growing prosperity was attainable; that the district was moving forward to a brighter future.

The robe and chain seemed a good fit.

And he didn't once have to say: "I've started ... so I'll finish."