Councils
This afternoon Invercargill City Councillor Ian Pottinger put out a media release confirming speculation that he would drop out of the mayoral race and focus on being re-elected to council.
This follows another mayoral candidate Rebecca Amunsden today announcing the same, to drop her mayoral aspirations and stand for council only.
Current deputy mayor and candidate Nobby Clark said, I’m pleased Ian is standing for council again. He and I have shown in recent times that we can work together, have a mind set to challenge things that aren’t right. We both have a can do attitude, and looking forward to working with him after the election.
Ian Pottingers media statement:
After much thought and consideration Cr Ian Pottinger is withdrawing from the Invercargill Mayoral race and will be seeking re-election as city councillor. In doing so he would be endorsing Nobby Clark for the Mayoral position, who Pottinger believes has the skills and dedication to tackle the requirements of the job.
With both Nobby and himself originally standing for the sole role of Mayor he states in his reasoning that the eventual eliminating outcome from this would result in a weakening of Council’s accountability to the rate payer.
Recent deliberations concerning the justification of the annual plan rate increases, along with the failed motion to join communities for local democracy. This made him believe that Council’s style of governance was becoming too idealistic and indecisive, as well as lacking the necessary fiscal awareness. Pottinger finally states that his support for Clark as Mayor does not carry over to any persons standing on a so called “Ticket” for city councillor roles.
He believes that anyone standing for City Council should be judged solely on their individual merits and what skills they can bring to the table; to support the community.
–Ends—
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