[ad_1]
Not for syndication
Wellington City Mayor Andy Foster and his councilors are under fire from some regional mayors. ROSA WOODS / COSAS
The Mayor of Wellington and his councilors are under fire from some of their regional counterparts.
Kāpiti Mayor K Gurunathan has made a “public appeal” to Andy Foster and his councilors to “take the finger” and resolve their differences for the good of the region.
“I do this reluctantly, but the importance of the city’s economy to the rest of the region is so critical that some regional concern about what is happening should be noted.
“I am sure that other mayors in the region are equally concerned.”
Dominion-Post
Kāpiti Mayor K Gurunathan has told Wellington politicians to “take the finger.” ROSS GIBLIN / THINGS
READ MORE:
* Problems at Wellington City Council could result in Crown Commissioner being hired to help, says former deputy mayor
* Tensions continue at Wellington City Council as dispute between councilors leads to official complaint
* Where is Wellington’s leadership in a greedy crisis? Asks former Mayor Kerry Prendergast
Foster recently accused some of his councilmen for putting their personal ambitions above serving the city, and councilwoman Diane Calvert filed an official complaint against fellow councilwoman Tamatha Paul over allegations of bullying.
Gurunathan said in a statement that Wellington politicians needed to provide leadership as the region faced unprecedented challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Instead, the region is hearing that an independent government commissioner can be called to resolve their political differences.”
Regional councils were often told that what was good for Wellington was good for the region.
“By extension, therefore, what is bad for Wellington is bad for the region … I appeal to our Wellington City Council politicians to set aside differences and support the people of the region during this crisis time. “
Masterton Mayor Lyn Patterson agreed with Gurunathan’s sentiments and said Wellington City Council needed to show leadership and stop its internal struggles.
“If the largest council in the region can’t move on, then I have some real concerns.
“I brought it up yesterday at our meeting, and we need us to work together as a region in response to Covid-19 and we have to develop a regional recovery plan.”
Porirua City Mayor Anita Baker said Wellington councilors needed to back Foster, and that public disputes were “a terrible aspect for the region.”
“You don’t go behind your mayor’s back and you go to the media.”
Baker said it was important for councilors to act as a team, “especially now that they have the entire government, shovel-ready projects are distributed.”
South Wairarapa Mayor Alex Beijen said Gurunathan was right in his criticism.
“It is disappointing to see that council members apparently play in front of the public and do not support their mayor with a collaborative and combined approach. Different opinions are important and productive, but they should never be taken to a level that separates them.”
Carterton Mayor Greg Lang said he had a good working relationship with the region’s mayors and that it would be disrespectful to comment on another council’s internal policy.
Andy Foster has been reached for comment.
