CEO’s explanation doesn’t hold water

It was revealed on Monday that the Far North District Council CEO, Dave Edmunds, had been orchestrating a meeting between the Northland DHB and Ngapuhi, to sway the voting toward fluoridation of Kaitaia and Kaikohe, while conducting supposedly neutral public consultation.

Mr Edmunds responded that it was Ngapuhi that initiated an approach to him; not the other way around.

But the email trail obtained under official information legislation revealed speculation as to who the health board officers should contact in Ngapuhi, regarding arrangements.

“If someone in Ngapuhi had made the approach as claimed, Mr Edmunds would have known who had approached him – there would be no confusion” points out Mary Byrne of FANNZ, who made the revelation public.

Mr Edmunds said that Ngapuhi was concerned it had not had a presentation on the fluoridation issue.

“But if Mr Edmunds was remaining neutral as he claims, he would have simply advised that person the contact the DHB and FANNZ, to arrange presentations. He would not have become involved in arranging a DHB presentation” points out Ms Byrne. “This explanation is just nonsense – it is damage control now he has been caught red-handed” she adds.

ends 

© Scoop Media