Key Takeaways
- The Central Otago District Council has received two nominations to fill the vacant Vincent ward seat.
- Louise van der Voort and Nat Jamieson are the two candidates nominated to fill the seat.
- Nominations are open until the end of the day, with a deposit of $200 required.
- The by-election is necessary due to the resignation of Dave McKenzie, who stepped down after an online campaign against him.
- Voting papers will be mailed on January 30 and voting will close on March 3.
Introduction to the By-Election
After a slow start, the nominations for the Central Otago District Council vacancy have begun to roll in. By Friday, two nominations had been received for the vacant Vincent ward seat. This comes after the council has been one member down since October’s election, when Dave McKenzie stepped down just days after being elected. The reason for his resignation was an online campaign against him, which he claimed had become too much to handle. The council has now begun the process of finding a replacement, with nominations opening on November 24 and closing at the end of the day.
The Candidates
Two candidates have so far been nominated to fill the vacant seat: Louise van der Voort and Nat Jamieson. Ms van der Voort has a long history with the council, having worked for them for 34 years before finishing earlier this year. She also served on the board of Taituarā, a network of local government professionals, for 20 years. Mr Jamieson, on the other hand, is a business owner who has recently moved to Central Otago from Southland. Both candidates will be vying for the seat, and their nominations will be subject to scrutiny as the by-election process unfolds. The candidates have until the end of the day to complete and file their official nomination form, along with a deposit of $200.
The Reason for the By-Election
The by-election is necessary due to the resignation of Dave McKenzie, who stepped down on October 14. Mr McKenzie was the target of an online campaign alleging financial impropriety in 2018, while he was working as a contractor to the council. Although he initially said he would not resign, the online attacks eventually became too much for him to handle, and he decided to step down. At the time, he acknowledged that he had made mistakes in 2018 and had repaid the council $1000, but maintained that fault lay on both sides. The online campaign against him had a significant impact, and he ultimately decided that it was not worth continuing in the role.
The Electoral Process
The electoral process is now underway, with nominations closing at the end of the day. Once the nominations have closed, the candidates will begin their campaigns, and the voters will have the opportunity to learn more about them and their policies. Voting papers will be mailed on January 30, and voting will close on March 3. The by-election will provide an opportunity for the people of Central Otago to have their say on who they want to represent them on the council. Mayor Tamah Alley has stated that a by-election is necessary, despite the cost, and the council is committed to ensuring that the process is fair and transparent.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Central Otago District Council by-election is underway, with two candidates nominated to fill the vacant Vincent ward seat. The by-election is necessary due to the resignation of Dave McKenzie, who stepped down after an online campaign against him. The electoral process will provide an opportunity for the people of Central Otago to have their say on who they want to represent them on the council. With voting papers being mailed on January 30 and voting closing on March 3, the people of Central Otago will soon have the chance to shape the future of their community. The council is committed to ensuring that the process is fair and transparent, and the outcome will be eagerly anticipated by all involved.