Gary Simpson’s departure

The news that Porirua City Council chief executive Gary Simpson would be standing down this year reached our office just as we were closing off this edition of the newspaper.

We’ve squeezed the news in this week, and will be following it up next week with a much fuller story.

Simpson has given Porirua tremendous service.

He was with the city council for 20 years, then had three years with Kapiti Coast District Council before returning to the Porirua council in 2010 as its chief executive.

He had the option of a further two years, but has elected to call time.

It’s never easy running any council, and Porirua, after all, is the country’s 10th biggest city, so Simpson’s job has been a considerable undertaking.

In a way being a chief executive is a bit like commentating a rugby test match.

Put 20 viewers together in a public bar at the end of the match and each will have been annoyed by something different the commentator said.

All they’ll agree on is that he did a lousy job.

So it is with a chief executive. Different council decisions will annoy different residents, but there’ll be agreement that the chief executive should be doing better.

We think Simpson should be proud of the work he has done.

The major residents’ gripe is probably over the level of rates, but it should always be remembered that Porirua has significantly fewer rateable houses than other cities of comparable size, so the council’s income is of necessity limited.

We’re not sure what’s next for Simpson.

He lives in Pukerua Bay, plays golf once a week at the Paraparaumu course, and enjoys gardening, travelling and reading.

But for a youngish man of his ability he surely has more to achieve yet. Porirua City Centre’s summer celebration has been a big success.

Organisers have been favoured by great weather, and the fact that those enjoying the activities have been able to do so in a Canopies- free environment has been a bonus.

It was never much fun shivering under the gloom of the Canopies and looking out to see Cobham Court car cark bathed in sun.

Over the past couple of weeks people taking part in the summer celebration have been able to have a bit of a workout, play pick- up sticks or mini golf, listen to The Andrew London Trio or Shaun Preston on the piano or just enjoy the pleasant atmosphere of the city centre.

It’s been very laid back, what with deputy mayor ’Ana Coffey helping at the sausage sizzle, mayor Nick Leggett, attired in shorts, chatting with Porirua residents about any manner of subject, from the future of the Canopies to what should happen to the Marines Hall.

The one thing that has been noticeable during the lunchtime festivities is how many people are smiling, and that’s got to be a good thing.

So a pat on the back to Porirua City Council for the initiative and to the residents of Porirua for making the most of the sun and the entertainment to have a good time.