VALLEY POLITICS: Aro Valley hall was the scene of lively debate at the community council’s recent AGM and election of officers
THE unconventional folk of Aro Valley are not at all ashamed of being the inspiration for a book with the title Unspeakable Secrets of Aro Valley.
In fact they recently invited the author, Danyl McLauchlan, to speak at their community council’s AGM (annual general meeting).
Mr McLauchlan’s talk was an oasis of harmony in an often contentious meeting in the Aro Valley hall.
DANYL MacLAUCHLAN
The residents, business owners and workers of Aro Valley filled the hall to elect this year’s new council heads and committee members. Some were re-standing again for their position on the council, as well as and some were new candidates standing.Wellington City Council Deputy Major Ian McKinnon chaired the meeting, an action that was immediately brought into question by Valley resident Andy Grant, who felt it was inappropriate to have an “outsider” to preside over the meeting.
Calling on the council’s constitution, Mr Grant quoted clause 6a to say “in the absence of a co-chair at any meeting, a person elected by the meeting shall preside”, suggesting that neither Mr McKinnon nor previous co-chairs Bridget Stoker and Madeleine Rashbrooke, who were seated at the chairs’ desk, should be in a position to chair the meeting.
Mr Grant suggested that the co-chairs leave the meeting and temporary chair for the meeting was voted on. When this suggestion was not agreed, Mr Grant then suggested that, if they did not leave, then he would.
This suggestion was met with applause from the floor. This objection was quickly overruled as the council consulted Nicola Drayton Glesti, a lawyer for Community Law acting for the council, who indicated to the hall that, if they desired an “outsider” to chair the meeting, then they could vote on the decision without it conflicting with the constitution. This vote was met with only four objections and so was passed.
This however was not the last the meeting heard from Mr Grant, who was quick to object to the agenda. Again consulting the constitution, Mr Grant called into question why the items he had submitted where not on the agenda.
The reply to this from the former co-chairs was that “some cases have been duplicated, some need further investigation”.
Questioned on what “further investigation” meant, their reply was that it was not appropriate for the AGM and that it would be likely to be covered in either the treasurer’s or co-chairs’ report.
Half an hour later than scheduled, the review of the annual reports began. The co-chairs’ report, presented to the meeting by both Ms Stoker and Ms Rashbrooke, discussed the various issues they had been working on while in office. Issues such as the continuation of the weekend bus route was met with applause.
The previous treasurer, Mattie Timmer, presented his annual report recording that the community council’s incomes and expenses of the past year both exceeded the previous year’s, leaving the council in a very comfortable position.
The coordinator’s report was presented by newcomer Kelvin Aris, who had only held the position for a few weeks before the meeting.
He used the time to introduce himself to his new community. The community council put through four new policies on employment, communication, finance and conflicts of interests.
The candidates for the co-chairs positions then presented a “60-second soapbox” to the meeting. The first of the three candidates, Martin Wilson, attempted to present a three-minute slide presentation within the allotted time frame, which, needless to say, was not successful.
Ms Stoker, standing for another go in the position, questioned in jest why she would want to re-stand considering the night’s proceedings.
Roland Sapsford, a former co-chair was last to present his claim to the throne. Mr Sapsford, a Green Party stalwart, wished to return as co-chair in an attempt to avoid “internal dissent” within the council.
While the votes were counted, Mr Mclauchlan discussed his inspiration for the book and indicated that, although nothing is official, preliminary discussions on turning the book into a film are now in play.
Due to an over-run in time, the meeting was then closed and the meeting was told that results would be announced the next day.
Election results
Co-Chairs: Roland Sapsford and Bridget Stocker (not elected, Martin Wilson); Treasurer: Mattie Timmer; Secretary: Sarah Jane Parton; Committee members: Jo Brien, Charles Barrie, Jadwyn Lowe, Madeleine Rashbrooke, Julia Stace, Eileen Charman, Lisa Thompson, Jacqui Tutt, Kellar Taylor and Jay Buzenberg; not elected to committee: Barry Thomas, Clarry Inwood, James Grant and Martin Wilson
