We were blessed to have a great speaker at our last meeting Fauono Ken Laban, Mayor of Lower Hutt. Ken started his speech by saying "Kindness is the language that the blind can see and the deaf can hear"
This is how he leads with gratitude in his new term as granted him by the people of Lower Hutt. Ken remarked how good consultation is how we all need to base our decision making, as we live a life of service to our constituents. Ken has been a City Councillor both for a local Council, a Wellington Regional Councillor, A DHB Board Member and now is the Mayor. As he was campaigning he took the advice from the people to heart and became aware of the need to really listen to what was being asked of him.
Ken spoke about the latest storm in the Hutt causing major damage. The estimate so far for clean up etc has cost in the vicinity of $1.5m and could possibly climb higher.
As a city the biggest concern in our communities was affordability due to rising rates. People and families are struggling and we need to address this with urgency. The council is presently undergoing a reform of our costs aptly entitled 'Adjusting our Sails'. There are some very difficult decisions ahead as we face the major infrastructure of Riverlink - Te Wai Takimori o Te Awa Kairangi which deals with strengthening flood protection and improving transport Links. This has been more than 20 years in the making.
On the 1st July our Water services will go to a new water entity which council has been working hard to manage with the least disruption to our consumers. Connection with people is important. Ken made reference to the fact Rotary have been long term thinking servants of the City and how he would be pleased to work with us more.