Poles trust denied cash by council for event

The Talking Poles Trust has been denied funding for its 2012 Symposium by the South Waikato District Council.

The council resolved at its last meeting not to give the $20,000 the trust sought. The funds would have been used to help with advertising and pole production.

Councillor Alan Blair said: ‘‘ At this stage we refrain from granting Talking Poles Trust any money. Because I said to council last year that I was concerned about the effectiveness of the trust and what it is achieving.

‘‘The Talking Poles Trust has done nothing other than have an annual jubilee . . . And nothing else is raising funds need to see them do something.’’

During the council meeting Deputy Mayor Jenny Shattock said she was struggling to give the money to the trust. Councillor Barry Herlihy suggested the trust fundraise themselves.

Councillor Brenda Watkins would like the money to be used on maintaining the existing poles and to make them more interactive.

The Tokoroa Talking Poles Symposium 2012, from February 20 till March 16, would have seen a community signature pole created.

Bla’ir – Councillor Alan

. . . We