Dennis Dorney
The Dunedin Ratepayers and Householders Association has
had its feathers ruffled by a potential new council watchdog
but its chairman has offered ''an olive branch''.
Calton Hill man Dennis Dorney is holding a public meeting
next Tuesday night to gather interest for a group to replace
or bolster the association.
He had tried to contact the association and had received an
email from its secretary saying they had not had an annual
general meeting for two years and the association was to be
taken off the incorporated societies list.
''I thought it might be a good idea if someone did something
about it ... there is a need for a group of some kind.''
Association chairman Lyndon Weggery said they were ''still
keen'' to keep running.
''I have got to check with the secretary, just about the
business with the Companies Office. I am hoping they have not
wiped us out,'' Mr Weggery said.
He was ''surprised'' Mr Dorney had not contacted him directly
but he wanted to ''extend the olive branch'' and combine
forces.
''He wants to get things moving ahead which is great for
ratepayers in general.''
There was a core group of seven people working behind the
scenes and they still had an extensive email list to keep
people informed, he said.
Mr Dorney (72) moved to New Zealand five years ago from
Australia. He has been involved in several political groups
including the Australian Democrats and the Green Party in New
Zealand, but is no longer a member of either.
He said any lobbying would ''represent the views of the
group''.
Mr Dorney's meeting is in the Brian Arnold Room in Dunedin
Community House, Moray Pl, at 7pm on Tuesday.
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