In 1969, when the successful moon landing astronauts landed back in the Atlantic Ocean, they clearly came off a high of world appreciation and folded themselves back into society – albeit with a long public speaking programme ahead.
A few days ago (sans the speaking programme) it happened to me when I returned from several weeks delightfully cruising the China Seas (there is more than one) and landing back with a wallop into the relative quiet backyard that is called Cambridge. Relative by world standards at least.
Peter Carr
To find that things are changing. The first being that a (possibly long overdue) change of chief executive at the Waipā District Council has been formally confirmed and we are to be guided by the softer tones of a lady.
Softly, no doubt, in audibility but I suspect some real-world adjustments to the sleepy body that prevaricates re the Cambridge transport scene and permits ugly three-storey buildings to spring up.
So, in changing the chief executive (who has every right to a long and healthy retirement) perhaps it is also time to address just how well – or badly – the planning and roading departments are being headed?
With the arrival of the new manager perhaps we will see greater visibility and better management at the senior levels which is long overdue.
But the buck does not stop with paid officials – just how sleepy or inefficient are some of the elected people? This is – nor should be – a job for life. There are less than desirable traits being shown – not just in the Cambridge electees – but also across the district.
Elected people recusing themselves from making positive change decisions demands a question being asked – why is that person still there?
It was pleasing to see the heads of the two community boards have taken some opprobrium on the chin and admitting that their scorecard could have been better. And full marks to those two hard-working ladies for their honesty.
One of them has desires (allegedly) to stand for the council next year and clearly, if honesty and accountability are considered, there is a vacancy that should be filled.
And I can drive safely along a reduced-width Wilson Street again – now that the far from numerous cyclists have been gifted a wide and safe pathway for their two-wheeled perambulations.
The number of orange cones have reduced to something under mega-proportions and the number of trees felled to satisfy the Duke Street (pathway) boardwalk should have those of a green disposition in handkerchief-wringing anguish.
But such is progress as the money that is being consumed in this exercise will not be there for ever. So maximising spending when it is possible will no doubt satisfy those more closely concerned with the construction.
I have not yet caught up with progress – or otherwise – on the replacement for the Cambridge library – in itself a very worthwhile and well-run facility. I imagine that it may be ‘parked’ while other more pressing events are planned and executed.
But, dear readers, keep up the pressure on the transport scene. The work undertaken now and over the next two decades may not benefit you but will certainly benefit your children.
Good planning, listening to the people, clarity of thought and transparency of objectives are required.
Behind closed-door muttering in a room in Te Awamutu must become a thing of the past.
