When Nobby Clark realised he had won the Invercargill Mayoralty by a clear margin of more than 3000 votes, he said it was obvious people didn’t want a celebrity.
But his new role leading a city of 57,000 people has automatically plunged the former deputy right into the spotlight.
When he heads into office on Monday there will be no ‘Your Worship’ title, no mayoral robes and no prayers before council meetings, as Sir Tim Shadbolt had traditionally done.
It was just time to get down to business. First things on the list was to change the governance structure and organise a finance committee to monitor ongoing spiralling project costs.
Then he plans to cancel the Tisbury storage facility for the Southland Museum and help continue progress on the inner city development.
He was also excited to be working with some new faces around the council table, such as that he supported on the Let’s Go Invercargill ticket, including Tom Campbell, Grant Dermody and possibly Barry Stewart (still to be decided in the next week).
Campaign manager Allan Arnold is back in again, as well as Ian (Rangi) Pottinger, Nigel Skelt, Darren Ludlow, Lesley Soper and Alex Crackett.
“We seem to have numbers around the table for the key things that are important,” Nobby said.
Outgoing Mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt and his wife Asha Dutt arrived at Nobby and partner Karen Carter’s home in Otatara on Saturday afternoon to congratulate him.
They also attended the new Mayoralty and Let’s Go Invercargill function and were both in great spirits.
Meanwhile, runner-up Toni Biddle said she was disappointed but okay, and “I could not be more proud of the campaign I have run.
“I have demonstrated authenticity, integrity and grace in everything I have done and delivered and I have never felt so content with who I am and what my purpose is.
“I am forever grateful to you all and will continue to hold my head high, support and work for our people, within our beautiful community.
Third place getter Marcus Lush thanked everyone for their support on his Facebook page and said he was very happy with his campaign and his team of volunteers.
“I decided at the beginning that this was to be a fun campaign – and I have loved it. I also knew that if you are not careful politics can make you bitter – so I am happy that my political career is now over – and I have no bitterness whatsoever. Once again thanks to every one for the support.”
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