Hot issue in council poll

THE vote for Tasman councillors is shaping up as a referendum on the proposed merger with Sorell.

Most of the 16 candidates have revealed their hands, primarily falling into two camps — strongly for a merger or strongly against.

From the 13 candidates who returned the Mercury’s calls yesterday, five said they supported joining forces with Sor- ell, seven preferred to go at it alone and one was undecided.

The current Tasman Council voted on August 22 to reject the Local Government Board’s recommended merger, just a day after the Sorell council had unanimously given it the green light.

Deputy Mayor Kelly Spaulding, who voted against the merger, said unfortunately it would be the major issue of this month’s vote.

Mr Spaulding will be elec- ted mayor unopposed, provided he wins a spot on the council. He said he believed there was “all sorts of potential for the region” and the council was viable in the short to medium term.

“In my 25 years of business down here I’ve never felt the economy has been as strong as now,” he said.

Three members of the outgoing council have chosen not to stand this year, including Mayor Roseanne Heyward, who was a strong supporter of merging and said it was the reason she chose not to run again.

Maria Stacey is the only incumbent running who had supported the failed bid.

Candidate Andy Griffiths, who is in favour amalgamation, said Tasman needed to use the opportunity to leverage the best deal for them.

“Financially we’re OK at the moment but our ability to attract more ratepayers is difficult and down the track that could lead to culty,” he said.

David Beard, a pro merger candidate, said amalgamation would create a strong lobbying capacity to the State Government on matters such as fish farm proposals. Candidates Alan Hull and deputy mayor hopeful Pam Fenerty both said Tasman was a healthy council and didn’t need to merge, while Dan Stokes said all they needed to do was “try to entice a couple more businesses”. financial diffi-

First time council candidate Ellen Nutting said she agreed with the decision not to amalgamate, but her reason for nominating was to get on to dealing with other important issues.

Candidate Mick Earnshaw said the issue had “unfortunately created division rather than unity”.

Voters should start receiving postal ballot packs next week. Polls close at 10am on October 30.