Horizons chairman issues apologies
Horizons Regional Council chairman Bruce Gordon has apologised to staff and councillors for the fallout from his criticism of officials’ actions at Dudding Lake after a public health warning was issued.
He has spoken out over his initial refusal to declare a conflict of interest in matters involving the Rangitı¯kei lake.
He hit out at council staff this month when signs were put up at the lake, letting people know there were high levels of potentially toxic blue-green algae.
He took issue with the council saying the lake was closed, which he said led to people cancelling bookings at the Dudding Lake Motor Camp and Picnic Park, which he manages, but makes no money from.
He then did not declare a conflict of interest at a council committee meeting when the lake was a topic of conversation, and told media he didn’t need to in this case.
That led to criticism from various parties, saying he should have declared an interest.
At the last full council meeting of the year on Tuesday, he said sorry to both staff and councillors about what had happened.
He was sorry if individuals were hurt by his comments.
He also said sorry to councillors about the fallout.
Gordon said he did not declare a conflict of interest because he was ensuring the council got information about Rangitı¯kei District Council’s plans to deal with the lake pollution.
Had the topic turned to Horizons’ action on the lake, or the motor camp stood to gain financially, he would have made a declaration, he said.
He was comfortable for the minutes of the last meeting to be changed to more accurately reflect his position, he said.