Blair off trust by two votes

Whitestone Civic Trust deputy chairman Bill Blair has lost his place on the trust board, but is happy with the candidate who beat him by just two votes.

There were two vacancies to be filled in this year's annual election for the trust board, with four candidates.

The results were announced at the trust's annual meeting on Tuesday night, attended by about 50 people. Oamaru lawyer Phil Hope topped the poll with 123 votes and Graeme Martin, of Herbert, secured the other vacancy with 89 votes.

The unsuccessful candidates were Mr Blair, who was standing for re-election, on 87 votes and Hec Ramsay, of Oamaru, with 82.

Mr Blair said yesterday he did not intend to ask for a recount.

"In fact, I'm happy Graeme got on. I expected Phil Hope to be elected and I thought either Graeme or I would get in.''

Mr Blair said Mr Martin was a "quiet, unassuming chap'' with a real passion for heritage. He was a hard-working volunteer for the trust and while he might not have a high profile, he had put in many hours of volunteer work.

The election became embroiled in controversy when the applications of more than 50 potential new members were not approved by the board in December last year. They became ineligible under the trust's constitution to vote in this year's election.

There has also been growing disquiet between board members over the direction of the trust, resulting in the formation of two distinct camps, with resulting media publicity.

Mr Blair praised the work of the trust since it was formed in 1989 to preserve, protect, restore and develop the historic precinct of Harbour and Tyne Sts.

He said volunteers had "built up a fantastic asset'' since then and their achievements were unparalleled in New Zealand.

"I have been upset by the one-sided debate going on recently,'' Mr Blair said, referring to media publicity about the work and the way the trust operated.

"But I'm no longer a board member, so I can now speak out.''

Mr Blair praised the work of chairman Ken Mitchell, who will come up for re-election at the new board's first meeting on April 28.

Mr Mitchell was one of the best business leaders in New Zealand and had spent hundreds of voluntary hours on trust business, particularly developing a new strategic plan and during the recent publicity surrounding the trust, he said.

Mr Blair would consider standing again for the trust board in future elections, but could also work to ensure a candidate who supported the aims of the trust was elected.

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