Long council service ends

LONG-SERVING Manawatu District Councillor Mervyn Craw had no idea in 1974 that for the next 33 years he would be involved in the world of local body politics.

“When I started, there were no thoughts I would still be there 30-odd years later,” said Mr Craw, who retires next month after a distinguished career that began with the Manawatu County Council and covered 11 terms in office.

“It’s only been in the last eight to 10 years that I’ve thought about the possibility of pulling out. But I believe quite strongly the time is now right for me to go.”

Mr Craw, a dairy farmer at Glen Oroua for more than 50 years, said he had enjoyed the local body experience, still found the job interesting and was leaving with no regrets.

“Councillors initially took a hands-on approach, but now it is more theoretical. We are now the policy-makers and work on the theory on how it should be done.”

He said the council, like most local authorities, had been subject to criticism from time to time, but felt that it did a pretty reasonable job overall.

“The thing I really enjoyed, and one of the reasons I stayed, is the good approach by the elected councillors to each other. I feel we do that very well and it builds up a culture in the MDC of accepting and appreciating another person’s point of view.”

Mr Craw said if he had felt councillors were being unfair to each other, he would have walked.

He also considered himself fortunate to have worked with the calibre of leaders such as the district’s four mayors – Caryll Clausen, Rob Moodie, Audrey Severinsen and Ian McKelvie – who shared different abilities, strengths and weaknesses.

“I’ve always tried to bring a common sense point of view to council and as a small ratepayer it’s given me an understanding of the effect of council’s actions on the people. I’ve also been fortunate to enjoy a good association with a large group of people across the district.”

His advice to any would-be councillor would be to ask for help if there was something they didn’t understand.

“I think that’s important. Some people think they alone can change things. You can’t do anything alone. You are only one voice, one vote. You have to go with the democratic decision and accept it.”