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Tim Shadbolt.
Mayor Tim Shadbolt. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Invercargill Mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt believes his critics want him removed because he is like Donald Trump — someone who speaks out and "tells the truth".

In his latest handwritten column for Southland Express, personally delivered to the Allied Press office in Invercargill on Tuesday, Sir Tim hit out at his critics, saying he believed they thought he was too old for the job.

"Yes, I know I’m an angry mayor at present and it’s not because I’m facing a barrage of criticism — I’m used to that.

"It’s the nature of the criticism that I find so irksome. My critics are claiming that I’m over 70 and therefore too old for the job.

"Worse still, they insist that at my age I’m unfit to serve in office."

He went on to challenge the other councillors aged over 70 to a 100m sprint, a 50m swim and a lap of the ILT Stadium velodrome.

"Hopefully this will put an end to all these allegations."

In the column, he said it was his outspoken nature which was upsetting those against him.

"I believe the real reason they want to remove me from office is because my critics want to remove people like Donald Trump, Boris Johnson and Winston Peters and myself is because we are prepared to speak out and tell the truth about what is going on in their respective countries."

Sir Tim as well as the ICC chief executive and fellow councillors have come under close scrutiny lately.

The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) recently intervened after media articles and correspondence received by the department and Minister of Local Government highlighted "significant conflict" among elected representatives and the chief executive.

The council is at present being evaluated by an independent reviewer in line with the DIA request.

Sir Tim is also suing the council for $448,000 in relation to the defamation case former Invercargill city councillor Karen Arnold brought against him in 2015.

In July, he defended his effectiveness as mayor, saying he was "fighting fit".

See full column in today’s Southland Express or go to www.southlandexpress.co.nz.

Comments

if Sir Tim believes Trump and Johnson are beacons of truth then it clearly demonstrates his grip on reality is somewhat lacking.

Fake news !!! But I think it may have an effect on the next election.

And don't laugh too soon .... raise your hand if you ever thought Donny Trumpet would be the Prez of USA ??

Then again .... maybe thinking like Donny and Tom is the new "prerequisite" for becoming a democratically voted in leader, certainly gives them 'plausable deniability" when they really can't remember !!

Tim, I don’t think the Orange Fool, nor Boris, tell the truth. They are both out for their own aggrandisement. But over the years I've followed you through you time as mayor in West Auckland, through your amazing work in the Deep South, you have been reliable, forthright, and always a hard worker. That people criticise you is more to do with them rather than you. Keep at it as long as you feel capable.

I agree with Tim on this point. He is exactly like Trump and Johnson. Exactly.

 

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