Editorial: Timaru's Mr Courageous

OPINION: Stand up and take a bow John Norton.

By all accounts Mr Norton looks more like an office worker than a super hero, and he certainly was not wearing a cape or his underpants outside his trousers when he stepped into help when he saw Pareora woman Emerald Geach assaulting a Timaru parking warden Paulette Berry in May 2009.

But his actions, which have won the admiration of Timaru District Council staff, are those of a hero.

According to the warden, Geach had parked in a mobility space on Strathallan Street.

The warden took a photo but decided not to issue a ticket then because of Geach's behaviour.

A little later Geach stopped the warden on Cains Terrace and a wrestling match over a notebook ensured.

It was then that Mr Norton stepped in to save the day. Geach was found guilty of assault last week and has been sentenced to 60 hours' community service.

Not many children, when they are asked the inevitable question of what they want to do when they grow up, would answer parking warden.

While you get a nice uniform and a lot of sun, it has to rate as one of the worst jobs in the world.

The bigger the city, the tougher it is and wardens in Wellington and Christchurch are rewarded for the productivity with some issuing more than 100 tickets in a day.

Timaru's wardens are much less prolific and issue 12,500 tickets a year or about 40 a day, excluding Sundays.

They do a valuable job. As well as protecting mobility spaces for those who actually need them, they keep traffic circulating around the business areas, ensuring that everyone gets a fair deal.

No-one in any line of work should fear for their safety.

Mr Norton's public-spirited actions show that the ideas of chivalry and bravery are alive and well in South Canterbury.

Of course it would have been much easier for Mr Norton to decide that the scene being played out in front of him was none of his business. Others would have considered the best course of action would have been to call the police for help. While police warn against people having a go themselves, calling for the law would have involved a delay that would have prolonged the warden's ordeal.

Instead Mr Norton took the direct course of action which saved the warden from her ordeal.

Hopefully the Timaru District Council can find some way to recognise Mr Norton's actions. If anyone deserves a mayoral reception or the keys to the city, it is John Norton.

- © Fairfax NZ News