Waihemo ward nominations to open on Monday

WAITAKI

NOMINATIONS for the Waitaki District Council Waihemo ward seat will open on Monday.

The byelection was triggered after first term Waihemo ward councillor Peter Newton resigned in December last year, following allegations of inappropriate behaviour at the council’s Christmas party.

Nominations would close at noon on February 15, and if there was more than one applicant, voting would be completed by mail using the first past the post electoral system.

Polling would then be held on

April 13, and results would be released on April 16.

However, Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher said if there was only one nomination, the position would be filled earlier as voting would not be required.

‘‘It’s a democratic process and the main thing is that we end up with a really good representative for the people in the Waihemo ward,’’ Mr Kircher said.

Oamaru ward councillor

Kelli Williams was acting as a ‘‘buddy councillor’’ in the interim.

‘‘It’s just about making sure the ward and the community board is looked after and they’re not feeling like they don’t have the same voice around the table.’’