Bill Dalton

Well 2007 is drawing to a close and for me it has been an eventful year.

Without a doubt the most interesting thing to happen to me has been my election to the Napier city Council in October this year – and I can tell you it has been a real eye opener.

I have to be honest and say that I always thought that being a councillor would be pretty cruisey – that it wouldn’t take too much time or tax my grey matter too much – and frankly I was wrong. No doubt it will get easier but in these first few months there has been an enormous amount of reading and a great deal of time taken up in seminars and training courses. The old grey matter has taken a fair old battering.

Of course a councillor is required to do his or her homework – to research issues – to canvass public opinion and then at the appropriate time and in the appropriate forum, make the best decision for the City.

But some residents think that we have influence in areas that we have no influence in at all.

For instance I received an angry email yesterday and a posting on my www.dalton.net.nz website – from a woman who believes the Napier City Council are supporting the new Stevedoring company that has been contracted to the Port of Napier.

Let me assure you the dispute between the workers and the Port of Napier has nothing to do with the Napier City Council. And contrary to her statement – the Napier City Council owns no part of the Port of Napier – which is a great shame and is another issue that highlights the nonsensical local government set-up we have here in Hawkes Bay.

I must say the lady sent me a gracious e-mail when I pointed out her error.

However I digress.

Becoming a councillor has been a privilege and a challenge that I have enjoyed. I can’t say I have enjoyed the odd bit of flack or abuse that has come my way but I suppose it simply comes with the territory.

I hope that you all have an enjoyable Christmas and that 2008 is going to be a year in which your dreams come true.

Above all else – stay safe over the holiday period and try to help someone less fortunate than yourself.

Related posts:

1. Taking the bad with the good