Less than a week after resigning as Invercargill’s deputy mayor, Nobby Clark is back in the role.
However, Mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt said yesterday he convinced Cr Clark to stay in the job until the end of the term.
"Following the surprise announcement of Nobby’s resignation last week, I had asked Nobby to take some time to re-evaluate his notice.
"At my request, Nobby has given the matter some time and consideration and has agreed to withdraw his resignation."
Sir Tim said they both shared the same concerns regarding council and they planned to tackle it together.
"We agree that there are several key issues which require particular focus — the successful conclusion of the Southland disAbility Enterprises contract, the museum project development and the best rates solution for ratepayers.
"Nobby and I want the issues to be the focus for the final six months of this term, not the political aspirations of certain councillors."
Cr Clark said pressure from some of his colleagues had led him to tender his resignation.
"Initially, I was subject to a bit of pressure from some of my colleagues, who were unhappy with the position I was taking on some issues," he said.
"They believed it was not compatible for the deputy mayor role, so I felt in good faith that I should step down to advocate for the things which worried me."
However, he was pleased Sir Tim had asked him to reconsider his decision.
"He said that every elected member should advocate for what they believe the community wants and the [deputy mayor] position shouldn’t be subject to [such a restriction]."
He told Sir Tim he was often a minority voice at the council table and he wanted to feel freer to express his views.
"He said that is what democracy was based on ... Sir Tim said to me in his political career he often feels he was swimming against the tide and he expected me to do this going forward."
While the job would add more stress to his life, he was pleased he would be able to support the city and advocate for the things he believed in, Cr Clark said.
However, he rejected any idea of standing for the council at October’s local body election.
"I have a longer list but I can’t re-create the world, so I decided to focus in those three main things [the Southland disAbility Enterprises contract, museum development and rates] for now.
"It will be interesting this next six months [until the election]."
-- LUISA GIRAO
