WHOWOULD THEY PICK?
One of the most important decisions facing whoever is elected the next Lower Hutt mayor on October 8 will be deciding who their deputy will be.
Deputy mayors can be ceremonial placeholders on a higher salary than if they are just councillors. But they can also be hugely influential and play significant roles in implementing the mayor’s major policies.
They can also play the bad cop to the mayor’s good cop and serve as the closest thing to a Parliamentary whip on a council.
All five Hutt City Council mayoral candidates were asked who they would choose to be their deputy. Here are the responses from the four who replied:
GLENDA BARRATT
Taking into account a new and possibly younger council, the continued care of the city and business sector would need to be weighed carefully before making this decision. The council has benefited greatly with the experience offered by David Bassett, but there is also the years of expertise behind Margaret Cousins and others to be considered.
DAVID SMITH
If mayor, I would choose Lisa Bridson as deputy. Lisa has proven experience, similar views to me on the environment, communities, rules for developers, rate rises. Lisa could help me unite the Hutt. My life experience, bold ideas, people skills plus Lisa’s energy, passion and commitment make a good mix.
PHIL STRATFORD
It would certainly not be any of the ‘‘deadwood’’ that has brought Hutt City – the 5th biggest in the country - to the depths of industry loss, population flight, and worst of all negative GDP. I would find someone who would balance my creativity and assist me in running council. The deputy would assist me getting the trains into CBD. No negativity and a fighter.
RAYWALLACE
If re-elected I will be reappointing David Bassett as deputy mayor. He is totally committed and works extremely hard. Council has undertaken the biggest city rejuvenation programme of the last 60 years while still maintaining the lowest rate increases in the region. Financially we are in good shape to keep rates low and keep the city moving forward.