Defending Marryatt (mainly)
February 17th, 2012 at 1:55 pm by David FarrarSam Sachdeva at The Press reports:
Christchurch city councillors have defended chief executive Tony Marryatt’s decision to quit a meeting early to play golf.
Yesterday, Marryatt excused himself from a full council meeting to take part in a pro-am tournament at Pegasus Golf Course, being held as part of the NZ Women’s Open, which starts today.
Deputy Mayor Ngaire Button said she supported Marryatt taking part in the “flagship event”.
“The event is also important for Christchurch in that it brings visitors into the region and has so many positives, particularly economic, for our city,” Button said.
Councillor Aaron Keown defended Marryatt, saying he had been granted leave to play.
“The guy’s allowed to take leave when he wants, and if he chooses to take leave to play in a pro-am golf tournament, that’s his call,” he said.
“He can get a tattoo and start hanging out with strippers for all I care, as long as he performs.”
Keown is essentially right. All employees get at least four weeks annual leave, and what the CEO does on his annual leave is up to him.
The council meeting in question did not look to be a critical one, albeit all meetings post-earthquake are of greater importance than in other cities. But the CEO no doubt has numerous direct reports who can handle one half day meeting in his absence.
Having said that, Marryatt can sometimes be his own worst enemy.
He defended his decision to take part, saying he needed “some kind of balance” between his work and personal life.
“I just think I’m allowed to do this: I have annual leave, and I’ve taken half a day’s annual leave to play a game of golf,” he said.
“At the end of the day, I can’t run my life and this organisation on what some people will think.”
His golf game had deteriorated since the city’s earthquakes, and his handicap had “gone out by eight [strokes]” in the last 18 months, he said.
The first few lines are fine, but that last line made me groan. He may not intend it, but it comes across that having his golf handicap worsen is something people should have sympathy for. He shouldn’t have mentioned that at all and just stayed with the line that unless he takes annual leave, he will not be as effective as he otherwise would be.
Related posts:
- Campaigning to give Marryatt a $1 million payout
- Another CCC blunder?
- Some or all must go
- Meet the Buttons from Christchurch
February 17th, 2012 at 2:35 pm
I understand that CCC was a sponsor of the event. Wasn’t it appropriate for some high-up to attend?
Vote:February 17th, 2012 at 2:45 pm
That last line is exactly why Marratt is in such a mess. He has a lack of common sense and just keeps on digging. Of course he is going to dig his heels in to stay as he knows he is probably unemployable now, so needs to make hay while the sun shines. Sometimes, Tony, it’s better simply not to say anything, keep ones head down, and assess the lay of the land!
Vote:February 17th, 2012 at 2:48 pm
In Marratt’s defence, any golfer would know that if your handicap is slipping it’s generally because you are not getting to the golf course as often.
Vote:Also, he’s a CEO, not a politician so saying the right thing does not necessarily come easily.
February 17th, 2012 at 2:52 pm
You have to feel sorry for the people living in CHCH it seems to be deteriorating into a three ring circus. i can’t speak for all NZ but I’ve heard comments around here, many are getting sick of hearing about the woes of CHCH . Everyday you hear reports / rumors of the multitude of advisers, bureaucrats clipping the ticket for everything they can get and it seems none are shy when it comes to their remuneration. These people risk losing the patience, interest of rest of NZ. If they are simply there to rip the system off then they can expect nothing but contempt from many that have supported CHCH.
Vote:February 17th, 2012 at 3:07 pm
“Also, he’s a CEO, not a politician so saying the right thing does not necessarily come easily.”
Rubbish – if it doesnt come easily, it damn well should. That is part of being a top CEO, it’s called PR.
Vote:After the hoopla around him supposedly working all hours and the weekends, (albeit with 2 rounds of golf), any simpleton could see the possibility for negative reaction to him playing in this Pro-Am.
The calibre of his decision making seems very poor. (Let alone the calibre of his swing)
February 17th, 2012 at 4:59 pm
He’s not a top CEO at all. He’s a town clerk for crying out loud. There needs to be some sort of commission of enquiry to the salary these people are been paid nowadays. How about a people’s rebellion perhaps? Ratepayers across the country have had it up to their ears with these absurd and inflated salary packages.
Vote:February 17th, 2012 at 6:02 pm
He’s a cold fish on a slippery slope to the freezer. He should invent a health reason and retire soon.
Vote:February 17th, 2012 at 6:06 pm
Is it true he lives in Hamilton? I asked this before with no reply. I may have got this wrong, interested to know one way or the other.
Vote:February 17th, 2012 at 6:24 pm
When Maryatt takes leave is not ‘up to him’. Like all employees the grantin of leave is subject to approval. It should have been declined in this case due to the conflict. His poor judgement should have been revisited by whomever approves his leave application.
This is just another example of disfunction within the CCC.
Vote:February 17th, 2012 at 10:07 pm
These CEO types and the councils that vote them such huge sums for basically overseeing sewers and traffic wardens are a scandal.
Vote:February 18th, 2012 at 9:03 am
Yes Chris2 , he lives in Hamilton..commutes at the weekend; that is when he is not on the Gold Coast or at Clearwater.. he has told lies previously about the so called ”damaged” houses he owns in CHCH. Many are sick to death of him.
Vote:February 18th, 2012 at 4:09 pm
Once again the long suffering ratepayer in Christchurch takes one up the shitter from the Tony and Bob show, these two monkeys have shown and continue to show an arrogance only ever seen in feudal England.
Marryatt sits comfortably in the box seat on this one, he can’t lose, if he carries on as before, he runs another couple of years as town clerk at half a mill plus perks PA, or he get sacked and forces the council to cough up the balance of his contract plus whatever else he can screw out of the city as a grievance and walks away, whichever way he wins Ch Ch loses.
The only dead cert from this is Adolf Hitler has a better chance of being elected mayor than Bullshit Bob when his term expires, the sad thing being how much damage can the dynamic duo do before the town gets a break, looking from the outside, probably the best action would be to fire the pair of them, cut your loses and start again.
Vote:February 18th, 2012 at 4:14 pm
One more good after shock, a bad case of liquefaction in the bunker just in front of the 15th hole, quick work by the groundsman with his digger to fill in the hazard should solve the problem.
Perhaps Bob should just say “Who will rid me of this turbulent CEO” next time he is quaffing a double at the nineteenth.
Vote:February 18th, 2012 at 10:02 pm
Marryatt and Bob are going at the next election. Most people despise them.
Vote:So are Keowyn and Button, of North Christchurch.
Button and Keowyn plastered the city with thousands of placards all over the city last election.
I hope they try the same again, We are ready for them.
February 18th, 2012 at 10:05 pm
Johnboy, Bob doesn’t drink. He probably should.
Vote:We will rid ourselves of these troublesome priests.