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13 July 2006

MAYOR’S E-COLUMN

RELIEF EFFORT UNDERWAY

As I write this, the rain is bucketing down, the gutters are failing, there are star bursts of lightning and the constant roll of thunder.

I taught Ella tonight how to approximate the distance of a storm by counting the seconds between lightning flash and thunder clap. Unfortunately, the very next example had both events occurring simultaneously, causing everyone to jump. Bar Lucy. She clapped her hands in glee. We wondered what Lucy was short for …

And that’s been the council story of this week – coping with the effects of last week’s deluge, and praying that another will not be imminent. Although not as spectacular, there is little doubt that the rainfall last Thursday/Friday approximated that of February 2004. The damage to rural roads may even be worse and the cost, potentially, more. Much more.

CIVIL DEFENCE RESPONSE

The one major difference between 2004 and this event is that we had the prior experience. So we were ready. Deputy chief executive Kevin Ross assumed command over the past weekend and expertly co-ordinated an experienced and motivated team.

They did a great job. But the reality is that council’s job is only just starting. We have infrastructure issues with the roads and welfare issues with trapped constituents. Managamahu may have grabbed most of the media attention – with its stricken bridge over the Matawhero proving an irresistible attraction for the national media.

We also entertained Agriculture minister Jim Anderton and Civil Defence minister Rick Barker. Jim listened, Rick acted with alacrity. Within 24 hours of our hosting him, the Mangamahu issue – short and medium-term had been resolved [see press release 12 July]. He’d found us a temporary Bailey Bridge, and the engineers and the funding to make it happen. Exceptional.

THOSE RURAL ROADS

That said, the problem with the rural roads will not go away. All options are expensive at a time when council is cash-strapped. We are going to need to be persistent, diplomatic and clever if we are to find the overall solution – and the money.

Problems closer to home too, with the Anzac Parade subsidence now threatening the roadway and the surrounds of the Town Bridge. Money is not so much of an issue here given that Anzac Parade is a state highway and thus Transit’s responsibility.

But we need to move quickly before a problem turns into a crisis. All the various demands have stretched our resources to the limit, which is why Transit’s offer to erect the Bailey Bridge is so welcome.

[And what is a Bailey Bridge? Lifted this from Wikipedia.org for your information.]

PERSONAL

School holidays have but days to go and Ella will be returning to boarding school. Leo and I both attended boarding schools and obviously had positive experiences and that has been Ella’s experience thus far too. They are great for teaching independence.

Wanganui Boys College (now City College) marks its decline from the moment some muddle-headed thinking (central and local) closed College House on Purnell Street. Everytime I drive past the place, I curse the waste.

Not long now until Zoe arrives – another 5 weeks. We’re looking forward to her birth and she is due to arrive on my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary.

Again though, Zoe’s imminence raised the issue of maternity services in Wanganui. Nothing has improved – in terms of choice – since 2004 and, indeed, things have got much worse. The steady trail of mums-to-be to Palmerston North should be ringing very loud bells at our local DHB.

Until next week.

Best wishes