The Rear View Mirror Is Back

Well here we are, its been far to long but we are back with The Rear View Mirror for 2016.

Lets start with the local body elections. Looks like the main focus of attention will be on who gets elected onto the Invercargill City Council and who, for whatever reason won’t be there for the next three year term.

Fuel was certainly thrown on a stuttering ember when Toni Biddle claimed she witnessed two councillors nod off during a hearings submission meeting. Naturally everyone said “not me” and the mayor denied any knowledge.
However Ms Biddle’s claim was enough to spur her into action to seek the mandate of the citizens.

Another new candidate for ICC is Alex Crackett from Market South.

Plus local businessman Neil Thomas confirmed he is standing for Invercargill City Council

And we also have a challenger for the chains and robes of the mayoral office in the form of Tom (Time For Tom) Conroy. The former TV producer / presenter is getting out and about “pressing the flesh” as they say.

Will he get across the line ahead of Tim Shadbolt? Only time will tell. Looks like it’ll be an interesting campaign.

If you are planning to stand for office, could you please let us know so we can spread the word on [email protected]

What else has been going on? Yes, congratulations to everyone involved in getting our new airport terminal operational. It’s a wonderful amenity and it was great that PM John Key came down to officially open it.

And top marks to Air New Zealand for getting one of their Dreamliner aircraft to do a couple of laps around the city in spotless skies as part of a Koru Care flight recently.

Air NZ CEO Christopher Luxon hinted at the terminal opening that this could happen.

On a more sobering note, Mike and I took a stroll around the city centre today, admittedly it was Tuesday, not a high retail day. But, well, it was quiet. Cambridge Place Arcade, once a bustling centre of activity particularly eerie.

Have the lines on the map moved when it comes to retail activity in Invers?

Congratulations to Jocelyn and Scott O’Donnell, Directors of the Bill Richardson Transport World for buying up the New Zealand Classic Motorcycle Collection from Tom and Heather Sturgess in Nelson.

This is a world – class collection of close to 300 motorcycles and motorcycle focused art which we hear will be housed and displayed in Invers. Another reason for people to come from all over to see this wonderful collection.

We were delighted to put up video of the collection on WOI, not just a static pic.

Check out the four videos of this exciting collection of motorbikes coming to Invers!

What if the O’Donnell’s or anyone else could secure a world-class aviation, rail or marine collection for Invers or a world-class art collection….the possibilities are endless.

Sadly, the long Indian Summer came to an abrupt end over the weekend. Winter is now here and will be with us for a while.

Keep safe, keep happy, healthy and warm! We aren’t used to this cold.