Open letter to Roger Sutton
Dear Roger,
Earlier this week we got a lot of media calls; “would you like to comment on what is happening with Roger Sutton?” The response was a pretty clear ‘no’, not because we didn’t have things we wanted to say but because we wanted to take time to think about what was the most important things to say.
It is important that CanCERN makes comment because through our relationship with you, you have enabled many good things for residents and communities and we want to say very big thankful for all that you have enabled.
Some of the things you have done have been massive and some just small, but all have been appreciated. The things which pissed us off have already been hashed between us and that in itself is a good measure of the openness with which you engaged with CanCERN. We always felt we could speak our mind and not be careful with our words… our speech and access to CERA was never conditional.
We remember the fateful day in March 2011 in Avonside, when as CEO of Orion you showed your true colours and produced to a frustrated crowd the simple “electrical” diagram scribbled on butcher’s paper which clearly explained the issues of re-connecting everyone. You told it as it was – the good, the bad and the ugly, and you told it loudly, clearly and without even a touch of PR, spin, bureaucracy or filtering.
Like many, we were very thankful when you were employed as CEO of CERA.
You’ll be remembered for much more than that though. In our experience, you have been a man of and for the people and even with the obvious constraints of being CEO for a government organisation, you have kept the people front and centre.
Here are just a few of the things we really appreciate you for:
- Sitting down at the bottom of the HSBC building meeting and greeting people and taking time for a chat to get a better sense of what was going on out in the “earthquake” world.
- At Christmas time coming to the office and making ice-cream sundaes for all the CERA staff and others in the office including CanCERN, and personally passing on thanks for the hard work
- The meeting where our 40 strong membership presented very strong views to you and your team on the need for more support in the community to which you responded in spades with the creation of Community Resilience Managers.
- For being available and so that we could present the thoughts of our members even when we were telling you that CERA was missing the mark.
- For crashing meetings and then asking if it was ok if you joined
- For promoting CanCERN and the need for people to connect to each other at every opportunity
- For giving us access to the best of the CERA staff
- For giving us free office space
- For pushing so hard to keep the recycle project going in the face of bureaucratic tidal waves
- For telling your staff to make ‘In the Know’ happen. Lots of CERA staff have been involved but when it came to making sure it continued and got the resources it needed we knew that we were able to call you and help was never far away.
Supporting Let’s Find n Fix which has temporarily fixed over 400 homes with exceptional resourcing - The September anniversaries where you always, somehow, managed to make the time to turn up at the Methodist Church in Wainoni and pay your respects with the elderly.
- The 100s of public meetings where you turned up, manned up and said it how it is
- The outdoor but exercise-free meetings – a true compromise
- For colour and paisley shirts
Mostly Roger, we appreciate the fact that you spoke our language and tried really bloody hard to make things better. We thank you for always greeting us with a smile, for taking the time to talk, to listen and to hear the issues and remain open to any solutions.
We know what it’s like to battle the invisible beast that is the recovery and the spider that creates the illusive web of process, policy, politics and legalese. We also know how difficult it is to wield the sword of logic, common sense, simple action and outcome, but we are certain that you did your best to wield it nonetheless.
On behalf of the CanCERN Board, staff and membership, thank you for the honesty and integrity with which you worked with us.
All the best to you and your family and most of all, enjoy a well deserved Christmas.
Covered – Episode 3
The third episode in the 12 part Covered series screened this week on Cue TV Tuesday, 8:30pm and on CTV Wednesday, 8:30pm. You can also catch up on all videos at Rebuild Christchurch.
There has been mixed response to the series, some finding it helpful and others questioning whether it is too little too late. Perhaps it is and perhaps we have heard it all before. However, like In the Know, this series is trying to bring transparency to the many confusing processes a homeowner has to deal with as they settle their earthquake claim.
There is something of a sense of frustration though listening to recovery agency leaders explain things as if they are really so straightforward and consistent. I think we all know what is said at a management level and what is done operationally can be very different. But again like In the Know, use the information you are told to hold the agencies to account.
You will note that our very own Marcus Irvine is now putting the important questions to the engineer about repair methodologies. These questions come from what we hear from you – through In the Know, media platforms, emails and conversations in the community. However, if there is something very specific you think should be addressed in this series, the public have an opportunity to ask questions at Rebuild Christchurch which can be answered on air by EQC and other parties participating in sharing information.
IAG Executive General Manager for Canterbury Recovery Dean MacGregor talks about the IAG claims settlement process, why it can take over 60 weeks for a rebuild or major repair, how insurers work with EQC and dealing with complicated shared property and multi-unit building claims.
Reid Stiven, General Manager of the EQC Canterbury Home Repair Programme, talks about the Earthquake Commission Act and then structural engineer Tim Day looks at how to assess for earthquake damage and pre-existing damage.
CanCERN’s Marcus Irvine talks to geotechnical engineer Jordan Walker about house lifting to repair or replace foundations, what’s involved, when is ground improvement work needed and whether a house can withstand the rigours of being lifted.
Categories CancernEarthquake CommissionEQCIAG (State)Insurance
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Free to a good home…
Do you know of any community group, kindy, or school that may be in need of a decent stainless steel kitchen?
As part of our Recycle, Reuse, Relocate Project, CanCERN has acquired a rather large (5m) stainless steel kitchen- with wall oven, gas hob, insinkerator, cupboards, etc. It’s in great condition and would be fantastic in a hall or community center.
The only stipulation we have is that the it must go to a group rather than an individual – the whole purpose of the Recycle, Reuse, Relocate Project is to salvage items from the red zone for community benefit.
Please note, this is not a first come, first serve offer – based on interest, we will choose a recipient who we believe would make use of this item with the greatest community benefit.
If you think you know of a good home for this kitchen, please contact Sarah on 027 710 4558 or sarah@cancern.org.nz
Categories Cancern
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All Right? Understanding where people are at
Sometimes it’s good to be reminded that there are great people out there who really understand what the stress levels are like for people still struggling their way through the earthquake quagmire. All Right? do that well and we appreciate both the research and the resources.
If you haven’t already checked out All Right? visit the website – http://www.allright.org.nz/ or see the latest e-letter here
New research shows stress levels remain high
This comprised focus groups involving nearly 100 Cantabrians. Overall, it showed the prevalent feelings in the community are stress and tiredness with people finding themselves incredibly busy.
What is pleasing is that we also found a growing sense of excitement as the rebuild progresses.
The findings of this research will be released early next year along with the quantitative research that is now underway.
Resource update
As always the All Right? resource centre is ready and waiting for your orders…here you’ll find everything from posters to rollercoasters that you can order for FREE.
New to the stable are our rolls of compliments stickers so you can share some love and All Right? lanyards so you can keep us close to your heart (limit one per ‘customer’).
You’ll find the resource centre here.
All Right? works to improve Cantabrians’ mental health and wellbeing post quakes.
The focus is on promoting the small things we can do to give ourselves and others a boost. They actively research the impacts of the earthquakes and the stress they’re causing.
Canterbury’s people are the most important aspect of our recovery and All Right? will continue to ensure we are all feeling the best we can.
Categories Community resourcesHealthy Christchurch
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Christchurch Replacement District Plan update
Consultation draws to an end for the first stage of the Proposed Christchurch Replacement District Plan.
Click here to view all submissions made on stage one chapters.
Formal consultation on stage one is drawing to a close and the council would like to thank everyone who has made a submission or a further submission. Submissions and further submissions on the stage one chapters have now closed.
There were a few exceptions for late submissions which are noted here. Any further submissions received on these late submissions will be added to the website at proposeddistrictplan.ccc.govt.
Important dates
• Submissions closed 8 October 2014
• Further submission period opened 22 October 2014
• Further submission period closed 6 November 2014
• Further submissions published 20 November 2014
• Hearing process begins
• Panel deliberation
The dates for hearings and panel deliberations have been confirmed, please refer to the Independent Hearings Panel website.
The council expects the remaining chapters of the District Plan Review to be notified in mid 2015. They welcome your involvement in the review process and invite you to share this information with others.
If you have any queries about the District Plan Review, please email dpreview@ccc.govt.nz.
Categories Christchurch City CouncilLocal Government
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Don’t get stuck (in traffic)!
An Accessible City is about to kick off so be prepared for some pretty major roading changes around the Hagley/Moorhouse and Hospital areas.
For a lot more information and to make sure you know where not to drive, check out the links below.
- Start works notice
- FAQ
- Suggested commuter routes
- Hospital emergency routes
- Cycle routes
- All changes overview
Categories Cancern
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