On Monday evening, at a civic reception in the Council Chambers, Mayor Michael Laws formally recognised the achievements of food premises operators who had gained 'A' grade food hygiene status for their establishments.

Mr Laws and Cr Barbara Bullock presented representatives with a certificate and congratulated them on attaining such a high standard.

Recipients of 'A' grade certificates were:

• Stellar Restaurant and Bar
• Cake Connection
• Liffiton Castle
• Rockgas Wanganui
• Muffins 4 U
• Tower Cafe
• Visions Restaurant and Bar
• 379 The Avenue Restaurant
• Infusion
• Chefs Choice
• Master Foods
• Canaan Honey
• Dolphin Takeaways
• Puriri Country Fried Chicken
• Essence Catering
• Rutland Arms Inn
• T JAYZ
• Bushy Park
• Foodmill on Ingestre
• Bulk Barn Wanganui
• Reflections Cafe

Shops, restaurants and cafés throughout Wanganui are graded from 'A' to 'E' on their standards of cleanliness, food handling and staff training in food safety. An 'A' grade reflects an excellent food safety standard at the time of inspection and an 'E' grade identifies serious risks.

Those that gained an 'A' grade can now display their certificate with pride and people can patronise their premises with confidence.

Teddy Bears Parade and prizes; most outrageous hat competition; proposed launch of new disc golf course; sausage sizzle; icecreams; refreshments; sack, three legged and other kids' races; rides of all kinds; lake golf - $50 prize; family photos by Camera Club members.

BYO picnic, kites, family and friends, and of course your Teddy Bear. Wear your most outrageous hat!

Our thanks to Zontians, Lions, More FM and sponsors.

Bason Botanic Gardens Trust - Enquiries: Beverley Sinclair 345 1774

The mayors will be running for charity, not for office, at this year’s Mayoral Mile on March 17.

In the entertaining athletic joust between mayors and celebrities, certain to be a crowd favourite, there is prize money to be won. The winner and place-getters will each receive $500 to donate to the charity of their choice.

Charities that benefited last year were the Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust, Life Education Trust Waipa/King Country, Lower Hutt Amateur Athletics Club and Cancer Society Relay for Life. Participants in last year's Mayoral Mile are pictured above.

The field this year is still to be confirmed but will consist of mayors plus local and national celebrities.

Vacancy

Senior Curator - Sarjeant Gallery
Applications close 4 March 2007

Remember that you can apply for a rates rebate at any time during the 2006/07 rating year. The income threshold is $20,000. A rebate of up to $500 can be claimed.

Before we can process your application, we need to see:

• Your Community Services Card.
• Evidence of all income (before tax) for last tax year (this includes income from interest, pensions etc).
• Your Wanganui District Council rates notice for 2006/07 and your Horizons Regional Council rates notice for 2006/07.

Eligibility for a rates rebate is determined by:

• The ratepayer’s income for the tax year preceding the start of the rating year and
• The amount of rates and
• The number of dependents.

Council meetings

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Council Meeting – Monday, February 26 (Council Chamber)
- The Council will consider the reports from committee meetings held in February.

Council Meeting – Monday, March 5 (Council Chamber)
- Consideration of 2006/07 Proposed Draft Annual Plan.

Council Meeting – Tuesday, March 6 (1.30pm)
- Consideration of 2006/07 Proposed Draft Annual Plan.

Community Development – Tuesday, March 6

Hearings – Wednesday, March 7 (to be confirmed)

Finance and Administration – Thursday, March 8

Infrastructure – Monday, March 12

Strategy – Tuesday, March 13 (Council Chamber)

Wanganui Rural Community Board – Thursday, March 15 (time and venue to be confirmed)

Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are held at 4.00pm in Committee Room 2, 1st Floor, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui.

Agendas are available at the Customer Services Counter, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui, and the Wanganui District Library two working days prior to the meeting.