Prior to the local body amalgamation, and the demise of the Havelock North Borough Council, the councillors and mayors attended five or six meetings a month, invariably after work, in their own time without any financial reward; completely voluntary. As mayor I received the occasional refund of my expenses.
Every council was dedicated to crafting a better environment and through that dedication many treasures were created or acquired that are now part of the essence of Havelock North.
An early experience on council, under Bill Ashcroft a canny frugal mayor, was the acquisition and purchase of the treasured and admired Keirunga Gardens through the generosity of George Nelson. Much heart ache over the cost of buying the house but balanced by the gift of the garden and park.
Followed by the gifting and purchase of Duart House.
Guthrie Park was purchased from the Guthrie family after years of deputation and frustration of mayor and councillors with reluctance of the Hawke's Bay County Council to concede a metre of their land.
Councillor Charles Smith and his wife Beverley inspired and organised the Hastings District Council in the planting of the flowering cherry trees in Te Aute Rd.
"The Village", a treasure and one of the most admired town centres in New Zealand was the result of the development of the Havelock North District Scheme some 40 years ago.
This plan was crafted over three years with town planner George Porter ... no town planning department just George with councillor Scott Padfield as chairman of the planning committee; a mayor and eight dedicated councillors.
Another Havelock North treasure is the library. The council had been defeated in building a library in two citizens loan polls.
As mayor I was determined to find a permanent home and proposed that the council with architect Len Hoogerbrug build a library, community centre and auditorium. Councillor Colin Shanley and I headed the fundraising team with involvement of many in the community.
With a third of the money in hand we were defeated in a third citizens loan poll by 22 votes. My task was to persuade the council that the people wanted a library but not on rates.
Architect Len Hoogerbrug volunteered new reduced plans for only the library and after a silver service garden party at our home in Te Mata Peak Rd with all the stalwarts of Havelock North present, the balance of the funding was over-subscribed in one week by generous families and trusts.
The much-loved and used community centre was funded and built with the enthusiasm of Mark von Dadelszen, a previous Havelock North Borough councillor who headed a team which involved many of the community in the initiative.
Recently the generosity of Havelock North benefactors was again evident with David Mackersey and others contribution towards the magnificent redevelopment of the domain play area.
By coincidence, newly opened in business in Havelock North and a Hastings Jaycee my first project was to develop the domain playing area including the acquisition of the Avenger plane. I was elected to the Havelock North Borough Council at the next election as highest polling candidate.
Residents have petitioned the council to stop the destruction of a beautiful glade of trees at the top of Karanema Drive. Trees planted when the Rt Hon Duncan MacIntyre opened Karanema Drive at a public celebration some 50 years ago are facing the chainsaw.
Forty years ago the Havelock North Borough Council, in redeveloping Napier Rd, decided to because of the generous street dimension to separate the traffic lanes with a central green space The reserves chairwoman councillor Margaret Hursthouse and reserves superintendent Les Jarden recommended that the council plant the present trees with drought resistant qualities.
In contrast to the operation of the council today all councillors were involved in the detailed planning and decision making process.
It is inconceivable that the council will destroy the Karanema Drive glade to build a utility pumping station or chainsaw 40 years of growing and identity to Napier Rd when there is a practical alternative; bury the pipe in one of the road lanes.
• Jeff Whittaker, QSM, is a former mayor of Havelock North.
