Mayoralty race heating up

Another runner has entered the race for the Nelson mayoralty – first-term city councillor Bill Dahlberg.

Dahlberg said he had been asked by ‘‘a couple of councillors’’ if he would consider it. Now that the Nelson City Council’s financial year was over, he was comfortable announcing that he was not going to run for council again, and would instead run for the mayoralty.

Dahlberg said he wasn’t interested in ‘‘marketing’’ himself, but was focused on getting things done.

‘‘Our community in Nelson and the region respond to practical, real activities,’’ he said.

‘‘I’m not the kind of person to market myself. What I do is when I come across a project or a community group that needs help, I can rally a team to do that.’’

He said his involvement in the community meant he was well placed to find those projects and groups.

‘‘I’ve learned a lot about the community organisations that do a lot of good in the community, the sports organisations that work with young people, cultural organisations like the Suter Gallery and the school of music . . . I don’t make a lot of noise about it, but I’m in a couple of environmental groups.’’

Dahlberg said Nelson was ‘‘punching well above its weight’’ in terms of the environment, and this performance needed ‘‘common sense’’ support.

Dahlberg has been involved in several community groups and organisations, including a stint as a trustee of the Rata Foundation, as president of the Nelson Giants basketball team, and as a founder and chairman of the Warmer Healthier Homes group.

His most recent role has been helping with the Mayoral Disaster Relief Fund with the Tasman District Council, and he is also a member of the council’s IwiCouncil Partnership group.

‘‘I think the city deserves strong leadership that’s up to play with what’s going on around the town,’’ he said.

‘‘What I think is missing is team cohesion on the council, and trusting people like the committee chairs, and the fact that we do succeed a lot of the time.

‘‘I think the council can have a real, positive influence on the community if we leverage off the other players in our region.’’

Dahlberg said he had alerted current mayor Rachel Reese to his plans, and he ‘‘appreciated all the good work she’s done’’.

‘‘If she decides to run, then good luck to both of us.’’

Dahlberg’s announcement means three people have declared their mayoral intentions: city councillor Mel Courtney and former Green MP Mike Ward have both announced their intention to run. Reese has not yet declared if she will run or not.

‘‘I think the city deserves strong leadership that’s up to play with what’s going on around the town.’’ Councillor Bill Dahlberg