Shadbolt’s deputy okays fitness duel
Sir Tim Shadbolt’s strained relationship with his deputy mayor may bizarrely end up being battled out on the athletics track.
Shadbolt’s performance as Invercargill’s mayor has come under the spotlight in recent years, which included an independent report suggesting he was struggling to fulfil his duties and as a result there was a leadership void at the city council.
Shadbolt has been forced to answer questions about his health throughout the process. This week he revealed he had been diagnosed with muscle tension dysphonia, a common voice disorder.
However, he has disputed any suggestion his health was affecting his ability to do his job. He continues to point to a challenge that he has laid down to some of his fellow councillors to help prove his health.
‘‘There is four of us over 70 on the council, and I reckon over a 100-yard sprint and a 50-metre swim I’d give them all a run for their money,’’ Shadbolt told Stuff last year.
Shadbolt doubled down on those comments this week. ‘‘I challenged the councillors when this [my health] was raised. Maybe 70- to a 100-metre sprint, a 30m swim, and we’ll see who comes out the fittest.’’
It prompted his deputy mayor, Nobby Clark, to send Shadbolt an email yesterday agreeing to the challenge.
‘‘I propose that we utilise the wonderful city facilities of Queens Park, Splash Palace, and the stadium.’’
Clark suggested a one-lap run around the Surrey Park athletics track, a bike ride and two lengths’ swim.
‘‘I think we should do it on a Saturday, so the public can come down and have a bit of a laugh at us.’’
Clark turns 70 this year, while Shadbolt is 74. Given there was a limited enough age gap Clark felt that there should be no need for any handicap scratch starts. The deputy mayor said he’d had his own health issues, which included having one kidney after receiving a kidney donation 17 years ago, a permanent leg disability, and a throat issue.