Mayoral protest

decisions based on facts and feedback that I receive from the wider community. (abridged) CR CHRISTINE MITCHELL Waiopehu Ward Recently Mayor Feyen was featured in the Horowhenua Chronicle on the front page. The article included the observation that “things would have been smoother sailing had support usually given to new Mayors not been withheld”.

In the next publication was a story on the Foxton main street upgrade and the protesters who were temporarily stopping the planned works. In that article it said Mayor Feyen had joined the protesters and even though they only numbered about 10, they [protesters] spoke for the whole town.

How can a mayor expect the support of his councillors when he protests their democratically made decisions?

This upgrade was voted on at a public meeting, where he is now the chairman.

I have no issue with Mayor Feyen personally, he was elected by a majority and people should respect that. However I do have an issue around his behaviour. Surely we are the only district in New Zealand’s history where a mayor goes out and protests his own council’s decision. If this is an example of the type of leadership we have , then it should come as no surprise to anyone that Feyen has been labelled by some, a ‘lameduck’ mayor.

If the mayor really wants the support of the other elected members of council then he should take heed of an old saying: trust is earned, respect is given, and loyalty is demonstrated.

Betrayal of any one of these and all three are lost. (abridged) NATHAN MURRAY

Levin