Vol. 35, No. 25, July 4, 2019 52 Ingestre Street, Wanganui. Phone 345 3666 or 345 3655, fax 345 2644, email [email protected] So you are interested in standing for council? - Suggestions from ex-councillor Martin Visser for Council. Martin con- He came in 11th out of 12 bious about it, however, BY DOUG DAVIDSON sidered his chances and pushing long-time council- - Council elections are on October 12. By now, current thought “I’ve been away ganui’s history you have and prospective councillors will be making up their for a long time, but my last place. to be really careful that minds whether to stand or re-stand. For many it will family name is well known [ - pre-determination doesn’t among older people. My tion is that “You have to ƽ- not be an easy decision. father built Springvale Sta- be passionate – and I was cision.” Factors include the time of the opportunity to work dium and much of Kowhai - otherwise don’t do it.” At Then there are the coun- commitment and money abroad. The RCP inter- Park. I was brought up in the same time “you have ƽ required for canvassing, viewed him for his sugges- Putiki and both my parents to be aware that change that “most genuinely want your chances of being tions regarding standing were involved in commu- is slow and whether you to help but typically will elected and whether the and what to expect if you nity and the marae, so there like it or not, there are pro- be there longer than you. job, responsibilities and get elected. was an iwi connection.” cesses which have to be Some will see you as tem- payments are for you. Before standing Martin However, he says, “I also followed.” \ Martin Visser was elect- wrote a number of letters emphasised my business Politics don’t end once \- ed to Council back in 2013 to the editor and a ‘fel- experience and Honours the results are announced. ganui however is one of but decided against stand- low Dutchie,’ Frank Os- Marketing degree as a “Some of your colleagues the better local-body op- ing again in 2016, because kam, suggested he stand ƽ- appear to be politick- erations in terms of dedi- ganui’s reputation was not ing throughout the entire cation, bang for buck and good back then and eco- three-year term. You will ƾP nomic improvements were experience ‘the contrar- $M- needed.” ians’ – those who choose payers? “You will become He teamed up with Hel- a particular path, almost it public property. There are [ seems to thwart the majori- those who see you as a letter writer with similar ty and then get their names target for all their gripes views and they had joint in the headlines.” and frustrations, not want- billboards – as many as Another issue is whether ing you to spend a penny, any other candidates. Mar- you want to be an inde- because after all it’s ‘their’ tin delivered pamphlets pendent or part of a team. money which you’re but apart from that he Martin says “I’m not spending. didn’t spend much money. against teams. I’d be du- Continued on page 3 Martin Visser RIVER CITY PRESS, THURSDAY, JULY 4, 2019 - 1 Check out what’s Schola Sacra’s mid-winter concert this Saturday Schola Sacra’s new conductor, Iain Tetley is getting in this week’s RCP [ Conductor The time for decid- the year on July 6. It has even been said that “He is Iain Tetley ing whether to stand stretching the choir to perform to its highest level.” for Council is coming The concert is titled ‘Midwinter Gloria’ and is at Her- up. If you are consid- itage House, 136 St Hill Street starting at 2.30pm. ering it, check out the The main feature will be the ever popular, Vivaldi thoughtful suggestions ‘Gloria’ which will be accompanied by a chamber or- from ex-Councillor, chestra of 14 local musicians. The choir itself will be Martin Visser in our accompanied by vocal soloists from the Manawatu. front page article. You 7M may also use it to ask grand piano and a harpsichord in his home – will be questions of those who bringing his smaller organ to Heritage House, trans- do decide to stand. 7 Good to see Rangi be playing that and a piano. Wills be honoured with The concert will feature a variety of choral items the naming of the ‘Ran- Doug Davidson, with favourites by Bach, Faure and Rutter and a gi Wills AV Room’ in journalist@ selection of less well-known but equally beautiful the Museum (page 19). rivercitypress.co.nz music. Welcome to Frank up the Plastic Free July Tickets cost $25 but $20 for seniors and free for Gibson who will be re- Challenge – well more those under 18. They are available from the Royal porting on the Science attempting to reduce the Wanganui Opera House and at the door (cash only). Forum meetings (page amount of plastic we 14). He is well known use (page 30). The ar- for his well-written ar- ticle explains what we Spectators welcome to the Dog Trial Showring ticles on science mat- are doing now and what ters. we hope to do. I’ll report The Wanganui Branch back at the end of July. Championships in Hawera of the Vintage Car Club Congratulations to the is an active club will- Collegiate 1st XV rugby The Mighty Mix ing to do activities to * [ Taranaki Dog Trial $ for a long time they de- Showring Champions Planning is well under- feated Wellington Col- 2019 will be held on & lege, a much bigger and Friday 5th, Saturday Rally for Cancer in Au- all boys’ school in the 6th and Sunday 7th July gust – and it is only $10 annual quadrangular 2019 at the TSB Stadium, a car (pages 11 to 13). tournament (page 25). Egmont A & P Show- I’ve decided to take - Doug Davidson grounds, Hawera. Some of the best head- ing dogs in the country River City Press - will be competing along with Taranaki competi- email: [email protected] tors. All classes of man/ ! woman and dog will be year our trials featured to the Taranaki Rescue please contact President, covered and they all have on Seven Sharp with Helicopter during the Ian Smith 027 474 9235 a chance of winning the Michael Holland!! running of the event. or Entries Secretary, + Each year the Taranaki We have tremendous >@7LNQ The 200 plus entries will Indoor Sheep Dog Trial support from sponsors 292 2173. Facebook: $+ Club raise money and throughout the coun- Taranaki Indoor Sheep money of $4000.00 as donate alternately to try which we are truly Dog Trials Mighty Mix +7 two vital community grateful for. There is free entry. year’s winner, Ron Mead services St John, Hawera Competition starts Refreshments avail- from Gisborne, will be and the Taranaki Rescue 7.00am each day and able – Come inside out $87 Helicopter. This year continues until 6pm of the cold, have a hot 7 $3000 will be presented <= drink, something to eat ƽ and enjoy the competi- Championship Finals on tion! Opunake Dairy the Sunday which will 8Z commence after 11am. Rock Café, Patea will be For more information available on site. Free until you are 18. Make an appointment today 06 345 3222 Visit us at Victoria House 1a Rutland Street, Wanganui 2 - RIVER CITY PRESS, THURSDAY, JULY 4, 2019 Candidates evening Whanganui Male Choir having joint concert for Local Elections with the NZ Male Choir { 2019 tonight Choir are returning to Whanganui after a gap Whanganui District Council will hold an [ information evening for potential candidates \ for October elections on Thursday, 4 July. Wanganui Male Choir. The information evening will be held in the “Experience the Magic of Council Chamber, 101 Guyton Street, from Male Voices” will be per- 6.00pm-7.00pm. formed at Central Baptist $ Church on Sunday, July R`@ƾ{ 14. Moosman, will be available to answer ques- { +Z Male Choir has over 50 also attend to provide information for those members from through- considering standing for the regional council. { This is the second of two information rehearse monthly in two [ { 29 May. All are welcome at next Thursday’s Island and the other in the event. South. The practises aim Whanganui District Council Senior Democ- to achieve personal and Wanganui Male Choir racy Advisor, Kate Barnes, says local govern- collective vocal improve- \8 {$<|< and a second trip was the Choir celebrated its ment has a huge impact on the community and ment as well as repertoire especially the combined being postponed until made in 2017 to Australia, 120th Anniversary and building its future. preparation. They come songs with both choirs”. March 1919 on account where they performed this will be their 273rd “We encourage all passionate Whanganui together once or twice a Expect songs from the \+ four concerts in Sydney, Concert. residents to think about running for the Coun- year to rehearse. { On average, the choir Melbourne, Geelong and Adults $25.00, Students cil or the Rural Community Board. The Choir’s repertoire as Hello Dolly, Before performs two to four Hobart. and Children free. Door “This information evening is a great oppor- encompasses a broad The Parade Passes By, concerts a year. It is now In December 2018, sales cash only. tunity to gain some insight into what being a genre including sacred, On The Street Where You the third oldest perform- local government politician involves. We’d { Live and Anthem.