On Sue Lusk’s Destination Waikanae Facebook page is this pic of a mockup of the winning sign at night — which makes it look like a pipe organ. Is what on the KCDC website initially looks like wooden construction posts in fact intended to represent denuded tree stumps?
And is it the intention to have it illuminated at night?
Can we know who was on the selection panel please? Who is Sue Lusk? Sorry to be ignorant – but what has Facebook got to do with the Waikanae entrance design process? Where are all the other entries? Why weren’t Waikanae residents consulted and allowed to vote in their favourite design – say as part of their Ballot paper at the next Council elections? Another undemocratic flawed process…or maybe not? But how will we ever know if nothing is transparent and accountable anymore? We seem to be told AFTER the event of major changes in our Community. Really disturbed at how personal interests and personal opinions seem to be running local matters…Happy if someone tells me I am wrong about this – but somehow I don’t think I am wrong….is it just me or are we becoming spectators in the running of our Community, uninvolved and not consulted?
The KCDC website says the judges were: Waikanae Community Board chairman Eric Gregory, the three other board members, Mayor Ross Church, Waikanae Ward Councillor Michael Scott, Sue Lusk of Destination Waikanae and Ann-Maree Ellison of Te Ātiawa Town Centres Working Group
Destination Waikanae was set up in 2014 as a group of Waikanae business owners to promote Waikanae as a destination for visitors in the expectation that they will spend money while in the town. We assume Sue Lusk receives a stipend for running the group’s Facebook website. Needless to say, it is invariably positive stuff except when there is news of a crime and even then, criticism of anything seems to be a no-no.
All we know about Te Atiawa is what is on their website: http://www.teatiawakikapiti.co.nz
According to the KCDC press release from Monday 14th, “A total of 117 designs for new signs were received with 87 of these from Waikanae school pupils.”
We think all the entries could have been publicly displayed, preferably online, but least at the Waikanae library for a week or so, and a short list as decided by the WCB could have been put to a vote with the next council elections for those who live in Waikanae.
We quite agree with you about the lack of pro-active consultation generally, particularly on the part of the WCB members.