On election day Otaki was 1 member short for its community board, and is now two members short. This is unfortunate. I suspect that residents in Otaki who may have thought about standing did not do so because the existing members had all been excellent. They were a united hard working board so why change?

I seem to have created a flurry of responses to my comment on the Kapiti independent news' website. My observations as a former deputy mayor, as to the proceding and the on the election of the Deputy Mayor did not find favour with 'One Kapiti' candidates, both elected and non elected.

I smile when I am accused of being bitter. I chose not to stand for Council so the allegation of bitterness seems a bit wild. Freedom is a better expression.

One of the benefits about being a defeated candidate is that time expands. I can now spend more time in the garden and after a long, bitter, wet winter my garden is now looking tidy and springlike.

The iris is out, the leaves on the 100 plus roses are lush and green, no disease anywhere to be seen. Buds appear and over night burst into flower. Some of our enduring favourites are covered in buds ready (I hope) for the visit of the Wellington Heritage Rose Group towards the end of November.

The webpage will start to develop a new focus as I move on from politics. New opportunities have already started to come my way. A contract for a book was agreed this week, and there may be more in the making. There are more in my head anyway.

An English publisher has agreed to publish "Women in My Rose Garden" to hit the book stands in the early part of 2012.

I hope to follow this with a book on men in the rose garden!

Meanwhile I will continue with "Missionaries, Wives and Roses", a book about New Zealand bred roses named after the missionary wives.

After 18 years I find I have very little to say as I leave this chamber.

 However there are a group of people I do wish to recognise.

 I could not have done my job without the support and commitment of staff.

 Theirs is a lonely job. They are not able to answer the slings and arrows, the criticisms thrown at them by the uninformed, the mean and the just plain nasty.

 I admire their professionalism; I acknowledge their work ethic and their commitment to the council and to the district. They are the unsung heroes of the Kapiti Coast.