Seeking a second term as mayor, Tony Lepper says he is not afraid to express an opinion and speak out on issues that affect the district. Mr Lepper unseated long-serving mayor Malcolm Macpherson at the last election and this time around, he faces a challenge for the top job from former district councillor Lynley Claridge.
The incumbent has found his first term as mayor stimulating and rewarding and he prides himself on being approachable and accessible to ratepayers.
Why are you standing as mayor?
''I have really enjoyed the last three years and I think I am doing a very good job. I have the energy, the experience and the support to make a real difference in what a council and a mayor can do for the community. I make myself available to anyone who needs me and while we do not solve everyone's problems, we give it our best shot. I am not afraid of issues or expressing an opinion and I am happy to push back against solutions that may not be right for Central Otago.''
What have you achieved in the past three years?
''Very little is achieved alone. Working with staff, councillors and our community boards we have put a lot of effort into looking for long-term, lasting solutions to the infrastructural needs of all our communities. We have spread the planning and spending on these in such a way that these solutions will be affordable. We have all worked hard to minimise the increases in rates. Personally, I take great pleasure in helping ratepayers with problems and looking for sensible and lasting solutions.''
Is it a full-time role as mayor?
''The role is demanding and I am in the office every day and of course there are the 24/7 commitments that are required. I do manage to fit in my part-time work with Earnscleugh irrigation, which is a great way of staying connected to the community.''
What position do you think the district and its council is in?
''Central Otago is in a wonderful position. Our facilities are as good as in any major city. We live in a part of the world which is the envy of many and we have managed to support sustainable growth for several decades when other areas have suffered many years of decline. Our primary producers are relatively buoyant and we have experienced the arrival of some exciting new ventures. The council gets good feedback from our resident opinion surveys and we are working on new and better ways of communicating with the public. We will always strive to do even better.''
What are the three key issues facing this council?
''Finding a lasting and affordable solution to the water requirements of our different towns and giving each community a say in the possible solutions. This task has been delegated to the infrastructure committee of the new council.
''Supporting development opportunities: we have seen what can be achieved if the council can offer a package of support to business ventures who are trying to get established in Central Otago.
''Working on our second district plan: this needs to be a balance between protecting what attracts people to Central Otago and the permissiveness that allows productive opportunities with the minimum of fuss and cost. We have got this right in the past and we need to do it all again.''
Name one thing you would like to have achieved by the end of your term and why?
''I would like to have Alexandra's water and Cromwell's wastewater sorted. My priorities are all about achieving two major projects under the new council committee and ensuring that the affected communities are included in the process.''
