Schools, Pools & Automobiles…

November 26, 2010 18:00

(…perhaps a bit of a misnomer – but I couldn’t resist. Note: the following is almost sheer editorial comment)

During the last couple of weeks, as I have been driving past the Patumahoe Rugby clubrooms, I have occasionally noticed people hard at work. For some reason, I have made the assumption that those grafting away are not council driven, committee driven or otherwise. I have the impression that a job needed to be done, and they are getting on with it. Without fanfare, without interference, the work is getting done. This impression is reinforced by the contact I have had over the last week, regarding the concern over the unconsulted work on the domain fringes. This approach of – see the need – get it done, has a long and rich history in Patumahoe.

Along with the grafters, there have been the forward thinkers. The people who have seen possibilities and have endeavoured and succeeded in making ideas come to fruition. Again, often without public acknowledgement or need for it. I have been fortunate in having so many contact me with rich local history of the domain, the playground and more of the same over the last few days. So much of Patumahoe heritage is held in memories and anecdotes, and as a new resident, it is always interesting to be informed of the depth and breadth of community spirit that often lies invisibly at the heart of places.

We also need to add to the grafters, and possibility makers the rare few who are prepared to put their head above the parapets and say “Hang on, what’s the story here?”. They also have a vital role to play in making a community live.

During the recent flurry over the use of domain land for school carparks, we have had all three.

Regardless of final resolution, the community once again benefits from this dilemma.

We have a resident, who, well aware of the controversy that may result, takes action when no other avenue has been previously offered, and is prepared to take the flak. We have a much valued school, who, instead of digging in it’s heels and creating conflict, acknowledges a courtesy omission (not a legislative one) and offers to sit and talk through concerns. And we now have a council directive that specifies that any changes to community property or facilities in Patumahoe from this point on, will be advertised and consulted on before resource consents are issued.

From conflict, we have resolution – we should appreciate that the Patumahoe community is robust enough to handle situations without need for standtaking or lines drawn in the sand.

I am under no illusions that the work we are trying to undertake regarding future community spaces and linkages – if successful – will be just another small drop in an overflowing bucket. And although we are trying to avoid the mistake of misinformation, hope that if we are making a critical error in our reasoning, someone will stand up and tell us – so that we can correct ourselves and move on.

Thriving communities have members of all sorts of personalities, the grafters, the planners, the quiet providers – and those willing to be targets… Patumahoe appears to be bursting at the seams with all of these.

Other communities should be so lucky.

Final note: During the week, I have received a lot of information regarding the history and background to the domain, the playground, and importantly, work that has been going on regarding the relocation of the Scout Hall to the domain playground area. All of which, is fundamental to understanding the concern shown by some for the unconsulted use of the domain grounds for the school carparks.

I have been asked to publish one of these letters on this blog, which I am more than happy to do, and which has prompted the post above. Since this time, I have received another letter for which the author has given me permission to publish.

Letters from Kay Carter and Keith Hardy are below, along with a copy of the resolution of this issue which Ron Gordon has given us permission to publish.