Editorial: Regularly absent, but still valuable

Any business owner will tell you one of the biggest turn-offs for an employer is having a staff member who is never there.

Whether they are away regularly because of sickness or other reasons, having a "man down" leaves more work for those who are left behind.

Good attendance is a must have for any good worker.

Yesterday, The Daily Post revealed our Deputy Mayor, Trevor Maxwell, has a less than ideal attendance record when it comes to going to council meetings.

Since being elected in October 2010, Mr Maxwell has attended only 75 per cent of all council meetings - which is 85 of the 113 meetings held.

As a member elected by the community, is this good enough?

You could argue not, but when you take a deeper look at why he isn't there, the real picture starts to show.

He is kaupapa Maori director for Tourism New Zealand, which sees him travelling a lot, and he's also represented the Rotorua District Council on several trips - including various delegations to China.

If he happens to be away the week most of the council committee meetings are held, he misses the lot.

Cr Maggie Bentley has pointed out Mr Maxwell's trips away are not always council business but she has acknowledged what he does is very valuable. She suggests his role is more of an ambassador for Rotorua.

This poses an interesting question.

Should Mr Maxwell be taking up the position of an elected member and instead have a new job created as ambassador?

I don't believe so for two reasons. Firstly, the last thing the council needs is another salary to pay and secondly, it is the mayor's, or the deputy mayor's, role to promote our city.

Mr Maxwell's beaming face and positive outlook on our city is one of the best advertisements our city can have.

Cr Bentley has mentioned unnamed councillors who arrive late to meetings without apologising and who have not read their agendas.

If they're just there warming the seat, they might as well be absent as well.

What do you think?

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