Dame Pat Harrison says all the Dunedin community public spiritedness deserves much more than ''tears, spats and squabbles'' round the city council table.
To open the paper and discover the heading ''Tears, spats and squabbles'' (ODT, 26.5.15) reporting on the previous day's Dunedin City Council decision-making was disheartening in the extreme, since it came as another of a series of combative sessions.
We expect robust discussion, differing opinions, logical and reasoned debate but always accompanied with respect and with a basic understanding of what is needed for the common good.
We have in the same edition of the paper positive comment on the contribution Port Otago has made, the present healthy state of Chalmers Property and on future planning to ensure the port's sustainability and ability to withstand heavy competition.
In my experience there was never any evidence of enmity or interference at Port Otago, which is owned by the Otago Regional Council, but always a spirit of co-operation and respect.
There was also a full report in the same paper on the design of the foyer of Moana Pool about which high school pupils are to have a vote.
Since the city council has initiated a Youth Engagement Programme let us hope it proceeds with positivity and no hint of rancour.
The city's future lies in their hands and it is a step forward to allow them a stake in decision-making.
Their voice needs to be more clearly heard, and we need to be vigilant to ensure few remain without the skills to engage in public discourse.
There was also a report of a meeting at the Kokiri Centre in South Dunedin (13.5.15).
Its heading was ''Community supportive'' and it told of the centre's financial hardship after losing 46% of its annual budget.
Established in the mid-'80s, this organisation was a training centre for Maori and Pasifika young people, many disadvantaged because of deprivation and hardship, others because of lack of continuity in their schooling.
Over the years, hundreds gained confidence enough to participate in employment and community activities, or were empowered to resist crime and live a productive adult life. Many were made aware of their heritage and took pride in it.
Education representatives were at the meeting to support Kokiri, police were there, Community Law also, and the city council was represented by a councillor.
But most of all past clients were there.
They told stories of how they owed their self-esteem and better life experiences to Kokiri.
If ever there was a more united and warm gathering that was one.
I discovered Government policy had changed, funding had changed, each detrimental to the needs of Kokiri's young people since some were unable to meet the requirements and achieve a prescribed outcome within a prescribed time.
We must remember the young and severely disadvantaged first need to trust, then to change attitudes and, finally, to sharpen their minds to learn a skill.
The damage done over years cannot be remedied in a few sessions, particularly when damage is intergenerational.
Kokiri was required to pay back the money it had received for training purposes.
Kokiri is, therefore, in debt when so many people are indebted to them for their survival.
Such thinking does not fit the extremely disadvantaged: one-size-fits-all may well suit only the bureaucrats: the measurement required to meet the outcome may well fall short in humanity and understanding.
And what measurement is there that could test the veracity and depth of the life stories told by those past trainees?
These stories demonstrate the success of the organisation.
We must applaud the city council's Youth Engagement Programme and hope it can reach out to those who have not as yet learnt the art of public discourse but are not necessarily less wise or capable of constructive debate.
Nor should we forget to applaud all community organisations tucked into the fold of Dunedin city together with their army of volunteers.
Such public spiritedness deserves much more than ''tears, spats and squabbles'' round the council table.
It calls for wise judgement and considered opinion, sharp scrutiny but mutual respect for differences.
• Dame Pat is a former Otago regional councillor, a former principal of Queen's High School and a former chairwoman of the Otago Youth Wellness Trust.
