Ray Wallace wins easily

It was a tough week for Ray Wallace. Although he would not acknowledge the obvious, that his four rivals for the Hutt City mayoralty were never a threat, he had been laid low with a nasty cold.

Winning the mayoralty by 20,379 votes from his nearest rival, James Anderson, was just the tonic to cheer him up.

Still not feeling 100 per cent, he limited his duties on election day to supporting a fun run for super heroes in Wainuiomata.

As characters like Batman, The Incredible Hulk and Spiderman gathered around him, he took the time to talk about his priorities for the next three months.

One thing that is set in concrete, is his deputy

‘‘Under the legislation the mayor chooses and not the council. I will be choosing David Bassett.’’

Bassett, he said, has done a good job over the last six years and he is confident that even with four new faces on the council, Bassett will be able to get them working together.

Much of the last three years has been focused on rejuvenation plans for the central city. On the campaign trail it was clear that not everyone agreed with that approach.

Suburban shopping centres throughout the city are struggling.

One of the first things he wants to do is set up a working group to look at what can be done for retailing in Taita, Stokes Valley, Naenae and Wainuiomata.

Over the next few weeks, he would sit down with every councillor to discuses their role and the skills they bring to the job Every councillor would receive a portfolio and he is hoping for a united council that works together.

Within a week he wants an update on the four star hotel planned in southern High Street. The project is vital to the future of the city and he is keen to see some progress.

One issue that could prove challenging is the free parking trial in the central city.

Although retailing had benefited, it was only a trial and he is concerned retailers had not stuck to their part of the bargain.

Retailers were supposed to come up with a co-ordinated plan and agree on set opening and closing times.

That has not occurred and Wallace wants to know why.

As Batman crossed the line, Wallace finished by saying he is looking forward to an ‘‘exciting’’ three years and making progress on the big projects planned across the city.

*Hutt City Mayoralty: Ray Wallace 20,379, James Anderson 1,908, Glenda Barratt, 1,097, Phil Stratford 1097, David Smith 649.

There are 402 special votes yet to be processed. The turnout in Hut City was 37.47 percent with 26,629 people voting.