Debate puts heat on 'Super City'

BY SIMON EDWARDS - HUTT NEWS

While jockeys will saddle up for speed at the Hutt City Charity Race Day at Trentham on October 24, another on-course event will require wit and wile.

It's an amalgamation battle of words pitting the Hutt versus Upper Hutt in a charity debate for Te Omanga Hospice.

A front-runner has to be seasoned motormouth Gary McCormick, who is teaming up with Upper Hutt's mayor Wayne Guppy and another, yet to be named, to argue the negative on the moot: "That Hutt City is a Super City".

But the affirmative team are no also-rans: prominent barrister Greg King will be out of the starting blocks with Mayor David Ogden and councillor Deborah Hislop to put the case that the Hutt is indeed Super.

McCormick says he's "blessed with my untainted memories of growing up in Trentham, when the Hutt River used to flood and racehorses would escape and run through, or even stay in, our garden in Tararua St".

The veteran entertainer went to Brentwood School at the same time as Kit Toogood, son of late Selwyn It's in the Bag Toogood.

McCormick is adamant the Hutt must never become a "super city" in any sense.
"If it does, every carpet-bagger in the country will flood into the Valley, with every property-developing, leaky-house building, white-shoed, wide boy in their wake. I will be arguing for the [Super Village] approach [quite brilliant, if I do say so myself]."

David Ogden was in rhyming mood when we asked him about his intended approach.
Watch out for politicians trying to throw around their weight, next thing they'll put up your rates, he said. "Don't be ho-hum, let's have a referendum."

His clincher might be that if it's not a Hutt Super City, it might be a Wellington Super City.
"If the region is run like the Wellington Hospital - uh, oh!"

The charity debate is on at 11am on race day, Saturday, October 24, and, like the rest of the fun, it's also about raising money for Te Omanga Hospice.

Justice Warwick Gendall adjudicates and the debate audience also enjoys access to members' facilities (including carparking), a buffer luncheon and reserved seats in the Oaks & Derby Room with racebook. $85 per seat or $800 table of 10. Bookings: email races@trentham.co.nz