People who dump rubbish on the rural roads that divide the city and the Manawatu District Council are coming under the close scrutiny of both Councils.

The Head of the City Council’s Environmental Protection Services, Wayne Jameson, says the problem of dumping rubbish is gradually getting worse and both Councils are determined to identify who is littering the rural roads.

In the last few weeks the Councils have erected signs warning people that camera surveillance has been introduced. A mobile camera has been installed on one of the roads where rubbish is being dumped and will be moved regularly to other targets.

People who dump rubbish on the rural roads that divide the city and the Manawatu District Council are coming under the close scrutiny of both Councils.

The Head of the City Council’s Environmental Protection Services, Wayne Jameson, says the problem of dumping rubbish is gradually getting worse and both Councils are determined to identify who is littering the rural roads.

In the last few weeks the Councils have erected signs warning people that camera surveillance has been introduced. A mobile camera has been installed on one of the roads where rubbish is being dumped and will be moved regularly to other targets.

I’m in a Harry S. Truman mood…

Quote:

You can never get all the facts from just one newspaper, and unless you have all the facts, you cannot make proper judgements about what is going on. Harry S. Truman

I had previously posted my opinion on The Standard editorial that attacked the council CEO but recent events illustrate why our CEO got fed up with this council and resigned. Working with 16 “bosses” is a difficult enough task for anyone. Working with 16 employers when a very small number of them are continually critical, not of the work you do but of who you are, is a situation I hope to never find myself in.

Two distinctive playgrounds will be installed in Palmerston North from early April following valuable feedback from surrounding neighbours.

The junior playgrounds for children up to eight years of age will be erected in Hokowhitu Domain and Farnham Reserve, Takaro and will be completed by the end of the financial year (June 30).

When the Council approved their installation to replace existing playgrounds, staff consulted residents in the immediate vicinity through personal visits and a leaflet drop.

In all 190 leaflets were distributed around Farnham Reserve and 110 around Hokowhitu Domain and recommendations from people were incorporated into the final design.

Organizers for the Student City Day Concert featuring the Black Seeds and Hollie Smith are expecting a huge crowd to the Square this Saturday evening. With good weather forecasted and the Hurricanes in town on the same day last years total of 5000 attendants looks sure to be topped. The concert which is sponsored by PNCC, Massey, UCOL, AS@U, MUSA, ZM and @ the Hub is the highlight of O week and brings Orientation to a close with a huge bang this Saturday evening.

Summer Concerts in the Park
This Sunday, Feb 18th
4-7pm at the Fitzherbert Park

PNCC proudly presents Six Chairs Missing, Hendrix Warren, and The Feelers this Sunday in Fitzherbert park. Itâ??s a free event for all ages, and sure to be a hit! Gates will open to the public at 2pm with parking in Manawora Park, and disabled parking in the Hockey parking area. There will be food and cold drinks and coffee for to purchase, and picnics are also encouraged.

Usually we hold these concerts at the Esplanade, but because of anticipated crowd sizes, we have needed to move it to Fitzherbert. Be sure to get there early to get a good spot!

Esplanade Day
Sunday, 25 February 2007
10.00am - 5.00pm

Get the family together to enjoy the magnificent Esplanade Park on Sunday, 25 February. This is a day for the whole family that showcases the best of Palmerston North. Activities and entertainment for all ages including musical performances, children’s rides, McDonalds Fun n’ Magic Show, and celebrity guest April Ieremia to name a few! Bring an empty stomach because there will also be a variety of food stalls. Grab the picnic basket, and meet us at Esplanade Park for a day of free summer entertainment.

On 8th February, the top of the clock tower that was sliced off a few months ago (to enable other refurbishment work to proceed) was restored to its original position. A photograph of the top piece back in position is below.

All structural strengthening of the foundations, base, columns and beams have now been completed. Over the next two weeks the top section (which has been lifted back into position) will be strengthened and structurally tied in with the rest of the tower structure.

Councillors and staff had a full day workshop on 8th February, to discuss the Draft Annual Plan. This Annual Plan is Year 2 of the LTCCP (Long Term Council Community Plan). At the beginning of the workshop, the councillors and Mayor were faced with an unpalatable truth - the decisions made throughout the first nine months of the ten year plan, many of which incurred expenditure that was not budgeted for, had resulted in a likely rates increase of 17.8%.

Elected members were warned that while we insist that management and staff stick to budgets, working within tight budgets means that the Mayor and councillors also have to be disciplined with their spending.