From the Rangitikei mayor’s chair
It’s certainly been a month for wild weather.
Rangitikei District was very lucky to have avoided a major event this month but the good news was council was prepared for it if it had eventuated.
All indications were that we were going to get an event larger than the 2015 flood, which is why we declared a state of emergency.
By doing this it gives us the ability to call in more resources (like the army and air force) for assistance with evacuations, sandbagging, setting up cordons and protecting the property of those that are evacuated.
First and foremost council is concerned for people’s safety after that it’s property and infrastructure.
We had a good team of people helping with this latest event and we have received some very positive feedback. My thanks goes out to all the staff and the volunteers that put some long hours during our response.
During the month we welcomed another 14 citizens to the Rangitikei, we had people from British America, the Philippines, Britain and Samoa.
A very warm welcome to our district.
This month one of Marton’s icons, McGruers, celebrated 100 years in business.
So much has changed in the haberdashery world since this business started, technology plays such a big role.
I remember the days of the chutes that took the money and delivered your change back to you, now everything is electronic.
My congratulations to Peter and the team for this great achievement.
Project Marton, assisted by numerous volunteers, held another very successful Harvest Festival in Marton, this event continues to grow and get better and better every year.
It’s great to see these types of events being held in our district and being supported by both stallholders and members of our community.