LOCAL OR NOT? Nikki Payne at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul where she and Lynley Hannen became the first New Zealand females to win a rowing medal. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
LOCAL OR NOT? Nikki Payne at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul where she and Lynley Hannen became the first New Zealand females to win a rowing medal. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
Personal attacks
Our new chief executive has been subjected to numerous serious personal attacks recently.
We should remember Kym Fell was unceremoniously dropped into the deep end when he took on this job. I suspect he wasn't told of the enormity of the problems he was about to face --if he had been, he probably would have run a mile.
Kym has 13 bosses -- one mayor and 12 councillors; he is bound by law to do as directed by that majority, and he is also advised by a similar number of council officers.
He has been in his new nightmare for an incredibly short time and, from the massive amount of information and disinformation given, he has to try to sort the wheat from the chaff.
If he makes what we consider a wrong decision, we are very quick to condemn. Some criticise the size of his salary -- I wouldn't do it for twice the money, and I would be incapable as well.
Although I do not agree with all his decisions, I hope I am seen as attacking an issue and not the man. If I am not, I unreservedly apologise to Kym Fell.
On the other hand, councillors, wannabe councillors and mayors are fair game. Regardless of your thoughts, the next council will need to work with Kym, so let's start showing him the respect he deserves.
Charlie Anderson is running for the Whanganui District Council in the 2016 elections
Plant costs
Can someone please explain why the annual running costs for our new wastewater plant have jumped from almost $5 million a year to over $11 million a year? Or was that merely a typo?
KAREN WRIGGLESWORTH Whanganui
WWTP stunner
As a purebred Wanganui 55-year-old, I am absolutely, numbingly stunned at the yes to go ahead with WWTP.
I refer G.J. Moles to the affordability report commissioned by Whanganui District Council, dated September, 2015.
This report was prepared by Caroline Fyfe and Associate Professor Barry Borman from the Centre for Public Health Research, Massey University. The report is available on the council website.
Furthermore, G.J. Moles claims that "newly titled managers are well remunerated". Recent structural changes in management has resulted in a total labour cost reduction of $700,000 over the next three-years.
Finally, G.J. Moles claims that the cultural adviser will be paid $150,000 per year.
This is completely inaccurate; $150,000 per year is our total iwi engagement budget, which includes but is not limited to: Relationship meetings with Tupoho and Tama Upoko, district plan working parties, koha, hui to discuss policy, workshops, translation services, kaumatua openings and graphic design work and a salary relating to new role of kaihautu (cultural adviser).
KYM FELL Chief Executive, Whanganui District Council
Nikki's medal
It was good to see the piece (Chronicle, August 13) recognising Nikki Mills (nee Payne) for her bronze medal at the Seoul Olympics in 1988.
What intrigues me are the words "local" and "our" in the headings. Perhaps someone can enlighten readers as to why her name was not included in the front page listing of Wanganui Olympic medallists (Chronicle, August 2) which would
LOCAL OR NOT? Nikki Payne at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul where she and Lynley Hannen became the first New Zealand females to win a rowing medal. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
have shown her as having won (with Lynley Hannen), New Zealand's first women's rowing medal.
Your explanation might also help in uncovering the reason for Nikki's achievement being repeatedly disregarded by the Wanganui Sports Hall of Fame.
The only glimpse to the thinking behind this disregard is that she was not "born" in Whanganui. That is true. Nikki was born in Hong Kong while her parents lived and worked there.
She returned to Whanganui at age not yet 2, was educated at St John's Hill School, Wanganui Intermediate and Wanganui High School.
Her initiation into rowing and subsequent training was on the Whanganui River. Our river was her inspiration. Our river was where her sporting career started. And this says nothing about the community here that supported her endeavours and made her success at international level possible.
I want to congratulate Stephen Lace on his letter. In very simple, easily understood language he has stated the principle of the National Party: "A hand up not a hand out" -- which gives everybody their chance at making a future for themselves with dignity.
