‘Blatant move’ by power board
(Staff reporter Timarul! It was not surprising that; the discussions between the Ashburton Electric Power; Board and the Central Can-; terbury Electric Power Board! — proposing a merger of the . two boards — had been in (committee, because it was -
; tUUUJHIICC. UCCaUSC It Wd3 ■ (clearly a “blatant attempt” to (take away from Ashburton one of the important func(tions of local government, (said the president of the -Municipal Electrical Supnlv Authorities Association (Mr E. Johnston) last evening. Mr Johnston is also chairman of the Timaru City Council electricity committee. H U’QC r-t immPntinrt tko
He was commenting on the disclosure by the Ashburton board “after what must have already been protracted dis-! cussions” that its negotiations! iwith the Central Canterburvi board had reached a fruitful! stage. “People in the Ashburton • region must surely’ protest.' 1 strongly against any such! 1 move,” he said. “If it sue- 1 ceeds. it would result in sev-i, ere loss of local government, strength to the area, loss of 11 local control, and would place! l decision making remote from! ‘ Ashburton. t “There would be a loss to I 1 the communitv of head office! staff and facilities, a loss to;' the business communitv of! 1 local purchasing of goods andi r services, an aggravation of! urban drift, and serious pre- 18 iudice to the possibilitv of a!’’ region of local government, v based on Ashburton.” said Mr! 8 Johnston. b In merging with a Christ- ' 1 church-based supply author- h 'tv. the Ashburton Power! s Board must be reducing the! s importance of Ashburton as a! n centre. Surelv this was Quite! tl contrarv to the wishes of the; tl res'dems area, he sa'd.i It “I would aopeal to thels nembers of the Ashburton : c<
I Electric Power Board quickly; (to reconsider the implications! for Ashburton of this move,, and I would also suggest that! (the Ashburton county and! 'borough councils concern! (themselves with this development — which has now been ( made public.”
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Press, 24 February 1977, Page 3
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330‘Blatant move’ by power board Press, 24 February 1977, Page 3
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