A vacancy for a councillor in the Corriedale ward will remain
empty, but its other councillor, Kevin Malcolm, is unhappy
about the area having one fewer vote in the Waitaki District
Council.
Corriedale elects two councillors to the 11-member council,
but one of its representatives, Duntroon farmer Geoff
Keeling, resigned on February 15 because of business and
family commitments.
Yesterday, the council decided to leave the seat vacant, a
move opposed by Cr Malcolm. He wanted the chance to pursue -
with others in the ward and North Otago Federated Farmers -
selecting an appointee.
However, Cr Craig Dawson felt there was little time before
the election in October, money should not be used on an
election and there was not much time to get a new councillor
up to speed.
Cr Kathy Dennison was nervous about the council appointing
someone and felt that should be done by voters through an
election.
A move to appoint someone from the ward to the council's
committee of the whole, not the council, without a vote but
to help Cr Malcolm, was lost. Cr Malcolm opposed that because
the person would not have a vote.
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