Issue No. 231 - 3 November 2005

ABN-AMRO Craigs Wanganui Business Awards for 2005

Mayor Michael Laws congratulated the organisers of this year’s business awards Melinda Cade, Rush Hire and their respective teams for their vision and planning.

This year’s black-tie awards were again staged at the War Memorial Hall with the emphasis upon quality and style.

“There are times when Wanganui belies its stuffy provincial reputation and suggests than an alternate reality is possible,” says Mayor Laws. “Our aim, as a council, is to foster and encourage those times and the ARN-Amro Business Awards is just such an example.”

“Those who won awards deserve every accolade coming their way. It’s one thing to run a successful business – it’s another to allow outside scrutiny and be judged by your peers.”

The Mayor’s response to criticism on the night that three awards were not presented because the standard was not high enough was “fair enough”.

“These are rewards for excellence after all – not for simply entering the competition.”

On behalf of council, Mayor Laws congratulated 2005 Supreme Business of the Year Award winners, GDM Group, and all other category winners.

By-election and Referendum ’06

The by-election to fill extraordinary vacancies for the Urban Ward (1), the Wanganui Rural Ward Community Board (1), and the Referendum, will be held on Saturday, 11 February 2006.

Key dates:

25 November 2005 Nominations open/preliminary roll open for inspection
23 December 2005 Nominations close (12 noon)/roll closes
Early December 2005 Detailed information on Referendum topics
20-25 January 2006 Delivery of voting documents, including candidate profiles

The voting period will be from 20 January to 12 noon Saturday, 11 February 2006.

Referendum questions

Below are the five questions you will be asked in Referendum ’06. Detailed information on each of these issues will be sent out to you in early December.

1 Spelling of Wanganui

  • I vote for Wanganui to be spelt with an 'h' and therefore read Whanganui
  • I vote against Wanganui being spelt with an 'h'

2 Water softening

  • I vote for the Council to investigate softening of Wanganui’s water supply
  • I vote against the Council investigating softening of Wanganui’s water supply

3 Water fl uoridation

  • I vote for Wanganui’s urban water supply, including Westmere, to be fluoridated
  • I vote against Wanganui’s urban water supply to be fluoridated

4 Size of Council

  • I vote for the Wanganui District Council’s councillor numbers to be reduced.
  • I vote against the Wanganui District Council’s councillor numbers being reduced

5 Abolition of urban and rural wards

  • I vote for rural and urban wards to be disestablished in favour of one district wide ward
  • I vote against rural and urban wards to be disestablished in favour of one district wide ward
Mayor thanks Virginia Lake volunteers

Mayor Michael Laws formally thanked the Virginia Lake Trust and volunteers for their many hours of hard work on Virginia Lake’s southern entrance at a function last Friday.

“These people have donated a lot of their time and money to this project”, says Mayor Laws. “Without them, none of this would have been possible.”

The Virginia Lake Trust raised $140,000 for the two-stage project. The latest, stage-two improvements include a new ramp for people with pushchairs and wheelchairs to access the lake front, excavating and paving under the walkway to the lake’s gazebo and the installation of picnic stables. Stage one involved paving the entrance way and installing wrought iron gates.

“I wish to formally recognise the Trust’s hard work and thank all the volunteers involved. Its thanks to the good governance of chair, Sandy Dobbin, and his trustees Maurice Trail, Joan Grehan and Kathryn Swan that this project has come to fruition.”

The Mayor said Virginia Lake is a Wanganui icon, providing enormous pleasure for families, romantic couples, and for those who just want a little solitude.
Indoor Skateboard Centre

Councillor Sue Pepperell said she was thrilled to

open the indoor Skateboard Centre last Saturday.

“As a new Councillor, I have been pushing youth issues. The one thing that keeps coming through loud and clear from the community – particularly the young people themselves – is the lack of a recreational venue.

“At last, through community collaboration and the perseverance and commitment of the Wanganui Skate Trust, we now have a venue where young people can have fun in a safe and non-threatening environment.

“There was a great vibe at the skate park on Saturday. It was extremely well organized. Congratulations to the Skate Trust for all their hard work, the YMCA for the excellent management, and of course, the young people themselves.”

Council has supported the skate park since its inception and has a Community Contract with the Skate Trust for the lease of the building. The Indoor Skate Park and BMX jump is located in the old Mowtown building on the corner of Wicksteed and London Streets, behind the Gull Service Station.

Opening hours are Fridays 4pm to 10pm, Saturdays 10am to 10pm, Sundays 10am to 8.30pm. Entry fee, $2.

For further information, contact Kirsty Simpson, Cheapskates, phone 0211659834.

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