Council says no threats on cleanup

A stand-off between an angry Tokoroa resident and the South Waikato District Council over a section clearance has dragged on for more than a year.

But while Roger Drower claims that a South Waikato District Council worker used ‘‘ bullying and standover tactics’’ and threatened to repossess his house if he did not clear his property, the council says it was never the case and that it has no intention of paying the $2600 bill he’s sent them.

Chief executive Craig Hobbs said Drower was asked to ‘‘clean up his property’’ after a complaint from the public, but said he was only asked to remove a portion of what was dumped.

‘‘The scrap in question consisted of disused broken old toys, piles of wood offcuts that were not stacked... old gearboxes, wire frames and general household rubbish.’’

Hobbs said the council had several years of history with Drower over scrap material on both his commercial and residential properties.

In this instance he was was given ‘‘a few months’’ to get rid of all accumulated rubbish, he said.

‘‘ Mr Drower acknowledged that the rubbish was potential harbourage for vermin and agreed to remove scrap.’’

But Drower said what was dumped was done so out of fear his house would be taken.

He said a council worker, John Anderson, came onto his property and failed to introduce himself before telling him he had to get rid of what would have been this season’s firewood and a few of his children’s toys.

Drower has since invoiced the council for $2600 under the name ‘‘ Man on a Mission’’ for the dumped goods.

Drower and his wife Naomi laid an official complaint with the council over the incident.

Communications manager Kerry Fabrie said the complaint was investigated but no disciplinary action was required.

‘‘Mr Anderson did not threaten to repossess the house in 14 days. This is outside our jurisdiction,’’ Fabrie said.

Drower wanted a formal apology and replacement of the dumped goods.

Waikato ’ South District Council chief executive Craig Hobbs