Those of you who visit here regularly will have noticed there have been a few changes. The site name has changed - no longer, “Lynne Pope, City Councillor”, the site is now “discourse and data”. The words are self-explanatory. I did not seek a third term as a city councillor so on 13th October, my time as an elected public figure came to an end. I continue to serve my community, but no longer within the council chambers. For a long time I have kept my public life and outside interests separate and used this site to keep in contact with the people I represented. Now that I am just me, citizen again, I am going to use this blog to talk about the other things I work with.

If you find it coincidental that this site was down from 21st September until today, well then perhaps you should consider on what date the local government elections voting papers were sent out!

Yes, folks, lynnepope.net went offline and instead, a vote for Heather Tanguay image was here. Did I do that? NO! I am absolutely disgusted that local government politics has stooped to the level of people attacking and defacing websites in order to promote their preferred Mayor. It should come as no news to you that I am not standing for Mayor of Palmerston North. I am not even standing for re-election to the Palmerston North City Council. I am standing for election to Horizons and if the person(s) responsible for defacing my website are reading this, may I remind you that Horizons is a separate entity and HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS! Kindly play your stupid games elsewhere and leave me out of your dirty politics.

“If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it. The more things you do, the more you can do.”
anon. (Often attributed to comedian Lucille Ball, but known as far back as William Hazlitt (1778-1830)

It seems a lot of people have taken that old saying to heart and the demands on my time have been rather heavy in the past month. Since returning from July’s Local Government Conference in Dunedin (with a good dose of norovirus to recover from) time has just raced away. I’m never much good with enforced rest, which may be why it took me a couple of weeks to recover from norovirus, but as soon as I was back to normal I found my days completely filled. The Standard has been reasonably good lately in reporting back on civic events and on council meetings so I won’t bore you by writing about those.

PNCC Press Release

The City Council’s innovative process to include glass as part of its roading foundations has been recognised nationally.

At the weekend the City Council received a Packaging Council of New Zealand award as the winner in the glass recycling category from the Acting Minister for the Environment, David Parker.

The Council, in conjunction with Higgins Aggregates, has, for the last 12 months, produced a roading foundation material which includes up to five percent of recycled glass.

The glass would otherwise be dumped in a landfill as it has no market value due to the presence of more than one colour and plastic which sticks to the bottles.

Does your organisation want to develop a project that has the potential to contribute to the City Council’s community outcomes and its Community Development Plan?

Or perhaps you have an idea for developing a new and unique community group? Then the Local Initiatives Fund may be able to assist.

Community outcomes are defined as “things that are important to people” and mean;

• People have lots of fun things to do
• Businesses grow here and people have plenty of job opportunities
• Palmerston North is attractive, clean and green
• The community is supportive and people and organisations work together
• People have lots of learning opportunities.

PNCC Press Release

The final stage of the structural upgrade of the chapel at Kelvin Grove cemetery will require the chapel to be closed from Monday, July 23, for about 15 working days.

During this period City Council contractors will remove the existing paint on the chapel ceiling which contains a small content of asbestos. The ceiling and walls will be repainted an off-white colour while the chapel is closed.

Parks Project Coordinator, Charles Foulds, apologises for any inconvenience but emphasises that the upgrade only affects the chapel and all other services at the cemetery remain fully operational.

PNCC Press Release - Jaycee Trust

An overseas trip, a chance to study and an opportunity to give something back to the community through their profession, trade or calling.

That’s what a Travelling Fellowship scheme administered by the City Council is offering New Zealand citizens under the age of 40 and who live in Palmerston North or the Manawatu.

Applications for the Jaycee Trust Travelling Fellowship Scheme are now open and people have until Wednesday, August 8, to respond.

PNCC Press Release:

James Line, which runs from State Highway 3 to Kelvin Grove, is currently being upgraded.

Stage one of the upgrade began last month from the railway line through to the cemetery gates.

The work involves the vertical realignment of the carriageway including kerb and channelling and a new footpath and grass berms. The 11 metre wide carriageway will be build to full urban standards for residents to enjoy and will act as a collector road for traffic from side streets.

PNCC Press Release:

Extensive experience in entertainment and venue management is what a crucial City Council appointee will bring to the job.

David Walsh, Manager of the Convention Centre and Acting Manager of Arena Manawatu, has been appointed Manager of Venues, Palmerston North.

The position is new and encompasses responsibility for both the Convention Centre and Arena Manawatu.

Last year the City Council decided that the synergies between both venues were very similar and one administration for both would benefit the city. The position was advertised nationally and David Walsh was appointed late last month.

The cost of the City Council’s recycling collection and rubbish disposal is reflected in an increase in the price of rubbish bags.

From August 1 the cost of a bag will rise from $1.00 ($10 for a pack of 10 – GST inclusive) to $1.25 ($12.50 for a pack of 10). The increase was confirmed in the City Council’s Annual Plan which is year two of its 10 Year Plan.

The Council’s Water and Waste Services Manager, Chris Pepper, says the Council is progressively moving towards a full user pays policy for its kerbside rubbish collection.