The public gets to speak

There was plenty of lively debate and conjecture as more than 40 people spoke to their submissions on a proposal by Timaru District Council’s holdings company to sell its share in lines company Alpine Energy.

All but one of the submitters who spoke were against the proposal.

The debate was wide ranging, with several submitters threatening to turn the proposal into an election issue if the councillors voted in favour of the proposal.

Several submitters suggested that TDHL place the ownership of its shares in Alpine Energy back into the hands of LineTrust South Canterbury.

Submitter John Gardner urged the councillors to consider that option.

‘‘If there is one positive action you can make, it would be taking the necessary steps to ensure Alpine Energy remains in local hands,’’ Gardner said.

Businessman Gordon Handy agreed with the premise of transferring shares to the LineTrust.

‘‘This decision could be careerchanging for the councillors. Please be careful with your decision,’’ Handy told the councillors.

At one point, councillor Dave Jack, stood and opposed submitter Les Rawlings’ comments, stating he would not tolerate his threats after Rawlings told councillors there were ‘‘useless’’.

‘‘This council in my opinion is very dysfunctional; you are useless,’’ Rawlings said in his submission.

‘‘I’m not going to stand in here and be threatened,’’ Jack responded.

Submitter Ian Cumberland said he understood councillors had been gagged from having an opinion.

Odey said councillors had not been gagged.

‘‘They need all the submissions to be heard, otherwise they could be seen to have bias,’’ Odey said.

‘‘They are taking the time to consider it before they make a decision.’’

LineTrust chairman Grant Eames urged the council to delay the process so that the trust could investigate the possibility of purchasing more shares in Alpine Energy.

‘‘Any matter involving the sale or purchase of shares are of great importance.

‘‘The process will take time. The trustees are working hard to find a pathway that best benefits the community. Our first preference is for Timaru District Council to delay the process to take a more considered approach,’’ Eames said.

Businessman and former Timaru District councillor Mark Hervey told councillors this was the largest financial decision the council could make.

‘‘It would have saved the council a lot of time, effort and money if they had consulted with the community first before putting it out for consultation.

‘‘This level of rejection is unseen in my time of knowledge in the Timaru District Council.’’

Hervey also questioned the council’s haste to pay down $22 million in debt as part of the proposed sale.

Submitter Don Murray said there had been an unprecedented response in opposition to the proposal.

‘‘There’s a 93 per cent mandate, across political lines, commercial lines, town and country, and accountants, younger and older people, businesses and community NGOs. They’re all saying the same thing,’’ Murray said.

Grey Power executive member Jock Anderson urged the councillors to remember ‘‘their public duty’’.

‘‘I would suggest that any councillor that ignores this is effectively committing political suicide,’’ Anderson said.

Submitter Margaret Dockrill agreed, telling the councillors, ‘‘the only way a freely acquired essential community service should be able to be sold is after a Timaru District Council election’’.