Far too many people standing for mayoralty

EXCELLENT letter from Peter Attwooll (6.9.19). Like Peter, I understand why people switch off from a process that has descended into a circus.

Democracy is a beautiful thing, and I would defend anyone’s right to stand for council. However, standing for mayor is a different matter.

The number standing in Dunedin this time is ridiculous and in my opinion reflects poorly on the importance of the office. In a selection process, half of the candidates would not get an interview. Should we elect a mayor at all or should the mayor be selected from the councillors by vote or even appointed by an independent body?

Something else that I believe is turning off potential voters is the presence of party politics in local elections. Again, I would defend anyone’s right to support or be a member of any political party they choose but I believe they have no place in local government.

The parties throwing their resources behind their candidates give them an unfair advantage. Local government should not be influenced by national politics.

We don’t need party puppets — we need a great council, led by a strong, independentthinking mayor to lead Dunedin and grasp every opportunity to prosper our city and its citizens.

If you are in doubt about voting, look through the haze — there is some light behind. Don’t let the tail wag the dog, as it has in recent years. Most of all, don’t end up regretting you did nothing about it. Richard O’Mahony

North East Valley

AT the recent meeting of the Otago Regional Council candidates in Alexandra, it was interesting to note the disingenuousness of one candidate.

When asked if they had a conflict of interest concerning standing for position as councillor, surely being both a farmer and chairman of the Manuherikia subgroup of the Otago Water Resource Users Group denotes a conflict of interest for this person?

If Gary Kelliher cannot be honest with everyone before the elections, will his silence or provision of alternative facts continue to be detrimental for us, our Manuherikia River and our environment? Lynne Stewart

Clyde

[Otago Regional Council candidate Gary Kelliher replies:

‘‘The recent meeting involved 28 candidates from all of the local, regional and SDHB elections, not just ORC. This meant very short available speaking time. Very few specific questions were asked, and surprisingly, with such critical community issues to discuss, one was to ORC candidates only: do they have a conflict of interest to be standing as a councillor?

‘‘It was suggested by other candidates that this was targeted at me. However, I answered the question honestly. No, I do not believe I have a conflict of interest.

‘‘One of my businesses is a farming business. I will always answer questions honestly, and always have done. I view my catchment chair role at an independent level, rather than from a particular interest level. If your correspondent feels that farmers or community leaders or chairs of catchment groups should not be standing as candidates, they get to have their say on election day by who they choose to vote for.’’]

FASCINATING to hear candidates supporting the protection of South Dunedin also arguing for continued fossilfuel exploration off the coast! Can’t have it both ways, folks.

David BensonPope

Dunedin [Dunedin city councillor standing for reelection.]