Abrupt exit leaves space for former councillor’s return
A familiar face is filling the post left vacant by a Tararua District councillor’s abrupt exit.
Kerry Sutherland, a former member of the council, has been provisionally appointed to replace Ernie Christison, who resigned in writing at the end of an October council meeting.
Christison said he no longer believed he could make a difference on council, and his effort would be better spent focusing on his contracting business.
Since Christison resigned less than 12 months before the next election, the vacancy didn’t trigger a by-election. The council had two options, either appoint a replacement or leave the seat vacant.
Tararua mayor Tracey Collis proposed Kerry Sutherland as an experienced replacement, given his council experience and on the district licensing committee.
The appointment would also be the most appropriate democratically, as Sutherland was the highest polling of the unsuccessful candidates, Collis said.
Most of the council agreed with her, but councillors Allan Benbow and Peter Jones argued that the seat should be left vacant.
Benbow said by the time a new councillor was up to speed, the 2019 local body elections would be only a few months away.
Jones agreed, and said representation would not be an issue.
‘‘It’s not Dannevirke versus Pahı¯atua or Eketa¯ huna any more, so I don’t believe the northern ward will suffer.’’
Collis said it was a workload issue, and the council could not afford to be one councillor down for almost a year.
In addition to Christison’s portfolios that would need to be shared out, the council had a lot on its plate and was headed for a busy year leading into an election, she said.
One workshop has already been cancelled because there weren’t enough councillors available.
‘‘There’s a risk to running with only seven councillors. With one councillor away already, if a councillor gets sick, it will carry some risk to our ability to carry out the Long Term Plan.’’
The next step required for Sutherland’s appointment is a confirmation vote at the next full council meeting. If that goes through, Sutherland can assume his duties before the new year.