Councillors accusemayor of committee hijack
Deep divides within the Horowhenua District Council have come to the surface.
Mayor Brendan Duffy came under fire at a council meeting last night from councillors Ross Campbell and Michael Feyen for what they felt was their unjustifiable dismissals from several council committees.
Feyen said he wore black to the meeting to mark a ‘‘black day for democracy’’.
He said he was shocked to be taken off the projects and economic development committees, and that he was still frustrated to not be a member of the Foxton Community Board.
‘‘During my interview with the mayor over this, which was not really an interview, I was advised basically that no councillors or man- agement liked working with me or even trusted me. Thanks to everyone who said that but has never spoken to me [about their concerns].’’
Feyen said he was affronted not to have been selected as a council representative on the Foxton River Loop Working Group despite the years he had spent working on river loop issues.
Campbell said he was similarly insulted by his removal from the projects committee. This was despite in his first year as a councillor helping find a solution to Tokomaru’s water supply issues and helping get a consensus between council and submitters over Shannon’s wastewater treatment plant.
‘‘I’ve employed a few hundred people in my time.
‘‘I’ve never sacked anyone for being competent, I believe I have been competent.
‘‘It appears you only stay on committees if you agree with the mayor’s wishes.’’
Before either councillor spoke, Duffy told the meeting when the council was elected last year committee appointments were made with the understanding they would be reviewed in 12 months.
Mayors now have greater power to select committees and so a year in, Duffy said he was making adjustments. ‘‘I have met individually with all councillors, got their views and re-tweaked committees as a result.’’
After the councillors spoke, Duffy sought to correct only one aspect of their speeches.
He said he had never used the word ‘‘liked’’ when talking to Feyen but instead had told him other councillors did not have ‘‘trust or confidence’’ in him.
Both Feyen and Campbell said they would keep close scrutiny on the committees.