Disappointed

How disappointing for the people of CHB to hear Auckland based companies are moving into our region to provide a service which has been, up until this week, delivered to high standard by a locally based company, Higgins.

I’m talking about Recreational Services who will be contracted to look after parks and reserves, cemeteries, gardens around town and public toilets. While Veolia has the contract to look after water, sewerage, stormwater and do callouts. Their base will be Mike Barker’s Waipawa Depot and I believe management will be housed in already stretched council offices. Whereas the current provider Higgins already has the infrastructure and staff to continue delivering current services. Where will these Auckland companies find their experienced staff to deliver these services? Will we see an influx of new residence to run these services putting pressure on our already stretched housing demand? Or are they looking at poaching the existing experienced staff from the current provider?

I’m sure I’m not the only person who is impressed by the pride these local employees take in caring for our community. A number of these employees transitioned from the Infracon days and continue to do a splendid job which is reflected in the well-groomed community facilities we have in CHB.

These employees have a vested interested in keeping our community looking sharp and tidy. They live here, spend their money here and are ratepayers. They have local knowledge, wealth of experience, and would be held to task if things weren’t looking good. They have provided an outstanding service and I for one would like to thank them for that.

I understand Higgins were not given the opportunity to put forward a price for this work. It can’t be because they have no experience so can the council explain this.

The council catch phrase “Keeping it Central” seems like an oxymoron to me.

What was the council thinking? KATHERINE ARCHER Takapau