Based on Raglan Radio report by Aaron Mooar
The Raglan Community Board meeting yesterday Feb 10, was a wipe out as only three board members turned up meaning that an official meeting could not occur. Apologies were received from Councillor Clint Baddeley and Deputy Chair Alan Vink who had to be elsewhere. Jon Taylor was a no-show as he is moving to Nelson in a few days and the Chairperson Linda Cole was also absent. It is known that she has moved to Kawhia – which has led to speculation that she will be stepping down from the position but there has been no official word from Council about this. In either case a by-election will probably need to be held. The last time that a Community Board meeting could not be held by lack of a quorum was back in 2010 under the then Chair Peter Storey. The Community Board members all receive a payment for their duties whether they attend the meetings or not.
The three Board Members who did (Bob MacLeod, Matt Holl and Boyde Turongo Dixon) attend were less than the four needed for a formal meeting. An informal meeting then proceeded to discuss the lack of Police in Raglan this summer. Former Raglan officer Kevin Holmes, Lorraine Dillon, wife of a former officer and Kathy Gilbert spoke. Kathy was a former Volunteer Watchhouse officer who retired back in June 2014 after seven and a half years service. Kathy is continuing as Raglan Neighbourhood Support area coordinator working alongside Raglan Police. While praising the local officers they were critical of Police Management who haven’t listened to repeated requests for more support around New Years in particular. This led to the greatest amount of unrest the town has seen for 10 years over the summer break with regular breaches of the liquor ban. The Waikato Times sent a reporter to the meeting so we are expecting hear more about this issue.