Editorial: Reaction to oil spill appears extreme

There may be no use crying over spilled milk, but clearly the same can't be said for oil.

Having marvelled at the overwhelmingly positive response to the VCC Rally 2012 and all it brought to the area, it was disheartening to see a negative smear on the eventregarding what appears at face value to be a relatively minor matter.

From what we know, a number of entrants stayed at the Alma Motel, managed by Neil and Michelle Stewart.

Some of their vintage vehicles leaked oil on to the carpark, upsetting the Stewarts, who sought reparation or remedy from the owners.

Now, this was not an environmental catastrophe on the scale of the Rena grounding, but still the managers had every right to complain and even seek some sort of redress.

Where this all gets a bit murky is the extent to which the Stewarts rejected the offerings of rally organisers and the vehicle owners to fix the problem. Certainly, calling the police seems an extreme response and the threat of legal action pure overkill.

It is hard to believe these are the only cars that have ever leaked oil on the motel's carpark, so why the extreme reaction now? Likewise, what happens to unruly guests who perhaps cause damage to rooms?

Perhaps we don't hear of those issues because they are on a different scale. Or perhaps the drive to get the media involved was motivated by something else. Whatever the case, the tired old phrase that any publicity is good publicity is not borne out here.

What, on the face of it, might have been seen as damaging to the rally has backfired and, in the eyes of most who have commented, has painted the motel's managers as petty.

One can only assume occupancy rates at local accommodation providers during the VCC Rally 2012 event were at levels not usually seen at this time of year, so it could seem a little petty to bemoan the cost of some cleaner.

It would be truly tragic if a few measly oil spots on a carpark left a lasting stain on Wanganui's reputation and damaged our ability to host events.

Sad too if innocent moteliers' reputations are tarnished by the actions of the Alma Motel, whose managers appeared unwilling or unable to accept the remedies proposed. Their hard line and lack of compromise is made worse by the veiled threat of legal action and is hardly what you would expect from a business that exists on customer service.

One suspects there may be more tears to be spilled before this sorry saga is over.

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