Tonight’s Horowhenua council meeting has ended with a mass walkout of councillors which continues the run of disastrous headlines besetting the Council.
The already toxic relationship between HDC Mayor Michael Feyen and chief executive David Clapperton spilled over yet again at the meeting which was the catalyst for the walkout.
Two councillors had already left, one at the mayor’s request before Mr Feyen attacked the stayers for pledging their loyalty to the chief executive rather than to him.
Councillor Ross Brannigan left the meeting early following a terse exchange of words with the mayor.
Cr Barry Judd led the mass walkout and was followed by others, until the meeting no longer had a quorum.
When the chief executive and staff quickly left, Mr Feyen and loyal supporter Ross Campbell were left alone alone with members of the public gallery.
Mr Feyen certainly had several vocal supporters among the gallery with one observer telling KCNews this was democracy in action and he was proud of the way the mayor stood up for the people who elected him. He says it is clear the chief executive wants to run the council over the mayor.
Mr Feyen had earlier told the meeting he had seen enough of concern to call in the new Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta to help overcome issues that have so divided the council.
