Month: June 2020

> 2020 > June

MAYORAL BREAKFAST

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Mayor Jenny Shattock.

The New Zealand Timber Museum hosted the traditional Mayoral breakfast in Putaruru on Wednesday 24 June.

This occasion provided an opportunity for businesses hear directly how the Council is actioning their development planning especially in these Covid affected times.

Mayor Jenny spoke about topics such as ‘Shop Local,’  Council projects that can be actioned upon notification of Government Regional Development funding, a rates rise of 0% and the importance of re-building together as a region.

Yea! A 0% rates increase…

Also speaking was Bruce Sherman, Chairperson of the South Waikato Investment Fund Trust. He spoke about how their focus was not just on now, but the future, 10, 20 30 plus years on. He said that a strong local economy filters through to the whole community.

Bruce Sherman, SWIFT Chairperson addressing those present.

SWDC CEO Ben Smit joined Bruce in answering discussion points raised by those attending the breakfast.

Many of those attending took the opportunity to further network with others as well as the Council.

NATIONAL PARTY FRIENDLY FORUM AT THE PLAZA

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National MP Tim Macindoe.

4 term parliamentarian for Hamilton West MP Tim Macindoe at the Plaza based Friendly Forum stood in for Taupo Electorate MP Louise Upston who had sadly just lost her father earlier in week.

This forum was on Friday 19 June.

Louise and Tim both entered parliament at the same time in 2008.

Tim spoke about the success of the party with the Waikato 110kph expressway and the poor results of the Labour Party Kiwi Build scheme.

With reference to the Covid pandemic here, he said that “we did not go hard and early,” and that the measures put in place by Labour were “chaotic and cruel.”

Some of the topics raised by members of the audience were:

Why can’t we return to the first past the post election system in New Zealand?

Would National rescind the abortion act?

What help would there be for small tourism operators?

Tim said that Labour had failed to manage all the systems involving people coming into the country and that National had been calling for these to be implemented weeks before the government had done so.

There was also discussion about the hardship of bringing family members into New Zealand and the cost involved. “Who earns the sort of money to do this?” an audience member asked.

Tim urged anyone with concerns or points of view to contact Louise Upston directly.

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD PRESENTED TO STU EDMEADES

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600600Mayor Jenny Shattock presenting the award to Stu Edmeades.

Yesterday at the South Waikato Disctrict Council meeting a Community Service Award was presented to Stu Edmeades by Mayor Jenny Shattock. Her recognition address is presented here.

“I have a very special job that I want to do today one that I had planned to do earlier this year but Covid lockdown got in the way… so today is the day.

Today I want to recognise and celebrate a person in our district who has contributed so much to the Putāruru community over many many years as a volunteer.

Stu Edmeades I’d like you to come up please so that I can thank you on behalf of the South Waikato District and the Putāruru community for the years of voluntary work and your time that you have given to the Putāruru community.

I don’t think Stu knows what sitting down and relaxing with his feet up means because his contribution to the social and economic development of Putāruru has been huge over the years.

I’m going to share with you some of the volunteer work that Stu has contributed to our district and I don’t think there many in our district that could match what he has given.

Stu was first elected as a Parent Rep on the Putaruru Intermediate School Board of Trustees after the government formed ‘Tomorrows Schools’ around 1990.

He was then elected as Chairperson of the Board of Trustees and remained as Chairperson until the school was dissolved with the Labour government recapitation of local schools in 2004. This was Stu’s contribution to the Education sector as his family was growing.

Stu was instrumental in forming the Te Waihou Walkway Working Party and consequently the Te Waihou Walkway Trust around 1999, with the official opening of the walkway and Blue Spring in 2000 by the then Prime Minister, Helen Clarke. His contribution was more than forming the group, it was physical hands on work and convincing landowners that it was a great idea to be part of the initiative.

He was also a Trustee and subsequently Chairperson of the Waikato River Trails Trust from its inception in 2004 until retiring in 2018. Council still recognises the strength of that group and still supports them but also recognised the $3 million dollars that they received from the Government to make the walkway happen.

Stu was a member of the Putaruru Lions group from 1980, retiring around 2006, and then he became a member of Tirau Lions group in 2010, retiring in 2019.

He was elected to the Waihou/Piako Catchment Committee of the Waikato Regional Council in 2013 and is still a current serving member of the committee.

The award presentation at the SWDC chambers.

He was elected to the Pride in Putaruru Trust in 2001, (19 years ago), as a member and then elected as Chairperson in 2005, before retiring in 2019 at the last AGM.

But there’s more…

Stu was instrumental in forming the Putaruru Moving Forward Trust in 2016, he was immediately elected Chairperson and is currently serving Chairperson and we all know the wonderful work that has been done on the Concept Plan and the push to change the district plan and open up the growth cells and 600 sections in Putāruru.

And finally… and probably I’ve missed something out Stu was elected to the Putaruru Rangiura Trust in 2014 and is still a current serving Trustee.

I’m here to honour you today Stu for your selfless volunteering… because everything that I’ve mentioned that you’ve been involved with has been and still is in a volunteering capacity. That’s superb… not many people give back as you have and you have made a huge difference to the Putāruru Community. It hasn’t mattered how big or how small you have always stepped up, sometimes to the detriment of your health.

Stu your passion is infectious and you are worth your weight in gold. You’ve shared your talents without any compensation so I want you to know that you are valued.

Thank you for everything and I’d like you to stay and have morning tea with us and accept this certificate of thanks for your voluntary contribution to Putāruru and our district.

This is only the second Community Service Award that I have given out in my time as Mayor and I’m proud to recognise you and the work you’ve done.”

Carol Edmeades Retires from Putaruru Primary School

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A presentation to Carol Edmeades, Putaruru Primary School was made last week after reaching Covid Level 1 enabled it to take place later than originally planned.

Principal Trish Scown addressed the large number assembled and made these comments.

“Carol has worked in the office at Putaruru Primary for 18 and a bit years since it was first established in 2004.

Before that, she worked with some of us next door at Putaruru West, starting there in 1987.

That makes it 33 years and 4 months that she has been working in education here in Putaruru.

Over that time, she has worked with 5 different principals – Jerry Walker, Judy Dixon, John Bullock, Colleen Jaques and Trish Scown.

People often commented on the wonderful atmosphere in our school. Carol set the standard for this. When people walked into the office area there was always a warm smile and greeting and she made people feel welcome. We couldn’t have had anyone more perfect to be the face of the school than Carol.

Carol recalls memories of her office experiences.

Carol was a very experienced school office administrator. She was organised and efficient. 

The introduction of Novopay, the teachers’ pay system, was a huge challenge and caused much frustration, but Carol navigated her way through it dealing with each challenge in a calm and organised manner. 

Carol has always been very generous with her time and support. She would always come along to productions to help out on the door and to support the children, she helped out with fund raising and the like. Carol was on the Life Education Trust for many years and we all know what a great thing that was for the children.

We thank Carol for her work over the years. We wish her all the best in her retirement. Carol has been a pleasure to work with and we are going to miss her.”

Ka nui taku aroha ki a koutou…

Presentations were made and Carol related some of her memories while being associated with Putaruru Primary.

The farewell concluded with refreshments mingling and shared memories.

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DOG REGISTRATION ASSISTANCE for 2020-21

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Dog owners in the district can expect to receive their dog registration notices in the mail around mid-June. All dogs are required to be registered by 31 July each year; and either the registration paid in full or a payment plan in place.

“Obviously Council welcomes one annual payment,” said Council’s Animal Control and Compliance Manager Kerry Beckett. “However we are very mindful of the pressures that COVID-19 has put on some families. Our team is very supportive of putting a weekly or monthly payment plan in place if dog owners can’t afford a one off payment. However, you must come and talk to us before 31 July.”

Council is also extending the payment period, before penalties are applied, to 1 February next year and reducing the penalty from 50% to 20%.

“Please come and talk to us when you get your dog registration invoice,” she advises. “There are a number of payment options that we can put in place to assist you to pay your full fee or start a payment plan, so you don’t incur a penalty.”

“The last thing we want is to add penalties on people who are already struggling.”

Council’s door to door registration check programme will roll out as normal from 1 August.

During lockdown, Animal Control staff were unable to conduct property inspections for Selected Owner Policy (SOP) applications, so has extended this deadline to Friday 19 June. There are several criteria to SOP including fully fenced yards, no upheld complaints and no outstanding fees.

“If dog owners wish to be considered for SOP and the reduced registration fee, they need to contact Council to book a time for an Officer to do the inspection,” said Mrs Beckett. “New SOP inspections carried out this year will apply to the 2020-21 registration year.”