KEY POINTS:
Far North District Council staff are in shock after the new district's Mayor began his first term by insulting and threatening them and scrapping all of the previous council's committees.
Speaking yesterday at his first council meeting, newly elected Far North
Mayor, Wayne Brown, told staff they were to "never threaten, insult, infuriate or demonise ratepayers."
He also announced that all council committees would be scrapped and replaced with a new Audit and Finance Committee as part of a move to reduce costs to a level "at least as low as the private sector".
Mr Brown warned staff that anyone who did not embrace his "changes" should "re-examine their involvement" with the council.
Today, Brenda Pilott, National Secretary of the PSA, hit back at the outspoken mayor.
"Staff at the Far North council are deeply disappointed that Mr Brown has begun his Mayoralty by insulting and threatening them without any
justification," Brenda Pilott said.
"The council staff are part of the community, most are ratepayers themselves. They have a good relationship with the people they serve and with the council's management.
"This is why they're deeply disappointed that in his first act as the new Mayor Mr Brown has chosen to attack their integrity and threaten their jobs."
Brenda Pilott says Mr Brown's abuse and threats are uncalled for and
unnecessary as the staff and PSA support his goals of improving the
council's performance to the benefit of all ratepayers and residents, Maori and Pakeha, in the far north.
"But these goals will not be achieved by bullying and abusing council staff, " says Brenda Pilott." This is likely to see skilled and experienced staff leave the council and make it hard attract new staff."
