After nine years as a board member, Leanne Stenhouse is stepping down at this election, leaving behind a legacy of successfully completed community projects.
Board chairman Scott Weatherall and her fellow board members praised Ms Stenhouse for her work ethic, her connection to community members, and for her recent efforts to lobby the Otago Regional Council and the Ministry of Education on the issue of school buses.
Board member Keith McFadyen expressed admiration for Ms Stenhouse’s efforts, and for her role as a "quiet achiever, doing the mahi behind the scenes".
At its public forum, the Saddle Hill Community Board heard from Alex Griffin in support of a funding application for $1950 towards buying six sets of "Barefoot Bowls" for beginners.
The aim of the project was to encourage adults and children to have a go at bowls, and perhaps take up the sport, and these smaller, lighter bowls were easier to handle.
After discussion, the board granted the project $1200.
The community board also heard an update from Mosgiel Police Sgt John Cunningham, who said the Green Island Community Constable position was being filled, but would remain vacant for a time.
Sgt Cunningham also gave an overview of incidents reported in the Mosgiel-Taieri and Saddle Hill areas recently, including drink driving, youth offending, and family harm.
Later in the meeting, Ms Stenhouse reported to the board about her ongoing work around school bus services from the Saddle Hill area to schools in town, sparking a lively discussion.
Several board members expressed outrage at the lengthy delays faced by young children, forced to take several buses to get to school, and having long waits in the rain.
In his final chair’s report, Mr Weatherall detailed the highs for the board in the past three years, including the local response to Civil Defence emergencies, lay-bys on Taieri Mouth Rd, coastal erosion work, shifting a community barbecue, and the planned half basketball court in Waldronville.
Areas for improvement included deteriorating road surfaces on Taieri Mouth Rd and around Waldronville.
