Mayor or nothing for Barnes

Matamata- Piako Mayoral candidate, Jan Barnes, confirmed last week she is standing only for mayor, not as a councillor.

She also confirmed that if elected she would be a fulltime mayor.

Mrs Barnes said there was ‘‘no point in having a dollar each way’’ by standing for council as well if she was not successful for the mayoralty.

‘‘ I’m serious about the mayor’s role,’’ she said.

‘‘My decision not to stand for council demonstrates that.’’

Her decision opens up a councillor vacancy at the October elections.

While other potential candidates have yet to declare their intentions, Mrs Barnes said she understood others might choose to stand both for mayor and as councillor.

‘‘There are no rules that say you can’t stand for both.’’

Mrs Barnes has no issue with what other candidates do, but for her the entire focus is on the mayoral race.

Meanwhile, as district residents hear of Mrs Barnes candidacy, she had been over- whelmed at the widespread and favourable reaction.

‘‘I certainly appreciate that Mayor Hugh Vercoe, after 15 successful years in the role, will be a very hard act to follow,’’ she said.

‘‘ My last three years as deputy mayor has been an apprenticeship for the role as well as my nine years on council.’’