Long service to Waimakariri honoured
From local democracy reporter David Hill:
A long-serving Waimakariri District Council staff member was farewelled last week after a lifetime of supporting the community.
Madeleine Burdon retired last Thursday after 15 years as part of the council’s community team and numerous social sector roles before that.
She credits her longevity to the people she has worked with over the years.
‘‘There’s nothing I’ve done that I could have achieved on my own and that wouldn’t be what community development should be about.
‘‘The community development advisory role I inherited was very broad and I had lived in the district since 1980, so it seemed the perfect fit.’’
Burdon said her various roles were about supporting those who made a difference in the community.
‘‘You are the people who are hands on, who respond to the needs of thousands of people on a daily basis, my roles sat behind you and your agency’s work,’’ she said to many well-wishers at her public farewell.
‘‘I am humbled by the work you all do and I’m deeply grateful to have journeyed with you.’’
Waimakariri District Council community team manager Tessa Sturley said the number of RSVPs to the farewell function was ‘‘testament to how much Madeleine is loved in the community’’.
For the last 15 months she has worked as the age-friendly community facilitator, with responsibility for implementing the council’s age-friendly community plan.
Sturley said Burdon was well known for her story-telling, her expressions and anecdotes, and for ‘‘singing lustily’’ in the council’s waiata singing group.
Mayor Dan Gordon paid tribute to the ‘‘great love and aroha’’ Burdon had shown for the community.
Waimakariri Age-friendly Advisory Group chairperson Joanne Gumbrell invited Burdon to be the group’s ‘‘taonga and patron’’.
Poll: Should we ditch daylight saving? 🕰️
First introduced in New Zealand in 1927 with the passing of the Summer Time Act, it's what we know as 'Daylight Saving' and this year it ends on the first Sunday in April.
While we do get to sleep in this time around, some people would like to scrap the clock tinkering for good.
And why? Some evidence suggests the time changes are bad for our health as they mess with sleep patterns leading to short-term fatigue and affecting mood. Meanwhile the hour change is frustrating for farmers and a nightmare for getting the littlies to sleep. But what's your take?
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40.8% Yes - get rid of the clock changes
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57.4% No, I enjoy it
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1.8% Other - I'll share below
Poll: 🪰 Should the city invest money into researching the new Bypass Plan, or should we prioritise fixing the existing infrastructure?
As reported in the Press, the debate over the Bromley odour continues. Recently, a Bypass Plan has been proposed as a potential solution - this involves pumping sewage into the sea. However, official technical, scientific, and environmental reports on this plan and how it may impact the Canterbury region aren't finished yet.
Before we get the final word from the consultants, we want to know what the community thinks about the allocation of rates and resources.
We want to know: Should the city invest money into researching the new Bypass Plan, or should we prioritise fixing and upgrading the existing infrastructure?
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7.8% Research the Bypass
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84.4% Fix Existing Infrastructure
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7.8% Undecided/Need more info
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