South stands by Staples

DON FARMER | 15th October 2007

Sitting mayor Adrienne Staples crushed her only opponent to easily retain the mayoral chair in South Wairarapa but was apparently never complacent about doing so.

In the euphoria of her runaway win Mrs Staples claimed she was a "very relieved chookie" to get a second term.

In reality her win over rival Bob Petelin was a clear mandate and an overwhelming vote of confidence in the direction the council has been heading but the new term will see a vastly different council.

Of the nine councillors that sat round the table with Mrs Staples last meeting, only three will return.

They are Keith (Porky) Sexton, Dianne Phelps and Viv Napier.

Two former councillors, John Tenquist and Mike Beckett, retired and four were unseated at the elections.

Those departing the scene through failing to gain re-election are Steve Davis and Kevin Lyford (Greytown ward), Bev Clark (Martinborough) and Peter March (Featherston).

Newly elected are Mike Gray and Margaret Craig (Greytown), Max Stevens and Julie Riddell (Martinborough) and Dean Davies and Solitaire Robertson (Featherston).

Mrs Staples said whereas she felt saddened at the departure of the councillors who missed out and had worked hard for the district she is excited by the prospect of working with a new and talented team.

"We have six women councillors and I am sure that bodes well for an invigorated council."

Mrs Staples was especially pleased with the election of Solitaire Robertson representing Featherston ward.

Miss Robertson is by far the youngest councillor, elected on a platform to look after the interests of the younger voters.

"She is tremendously energetic and determined to bring a broader perspective to council regarding our younger people.

"I personally know Solitaire well and I know she has the confidence to do what she wants to do so it's up to her now to achieve this."

Miss Robertson said she had been "incredibly nervous" awaiting the result and had first known of her election when Mrs Staples phoned to say: "You are on."

"I cried, but it really is a buzz."

Miss Robertson said she intends to become well read and well versed in what the council does and to learn the ropes before pursuing any agenda of her own.

In the words of former Prime Minister Keith Holyoake she intends to learn to breath through her nose.

She said she is confident she is joining a really dynamic council and is looking forward greatly to working for the good of Featherston in particular, along with her fellow ward councillors.

In some respects the newly-elected council is a case of out with the old, and in with the old as two councillors returning to the council table have a wealth of experience.

Max Stevens and Mike Gray have both previously been deputy mayor of South Wairarapa Mr Stevens as John Garrity's deputy and Mr Gray as John Read's deputy.

Mr Gray unsuccessfully contested the mayoralty three years ago.

Likewise Dean Davies may not have been a councillor but has been chairman of Featherston Community Board.

A particularly surprising outcome of the election was the rejection of Kevin Lyford by Greytown voters.

Mr Lyford had served several terms and twice had challenged for the mayoralty, running incumbent Mr Read to within a few hundred votes on one occasion.

Margaret Craig, newly representing Greytown, is a former deputy principal of Greytown School and wife of Bruce Craig who was a senior executive for South Wairarapa District Council until his retirement.

Likewise, Peter March, who ironically used to employ Solitaire Robertson in the Lady Featherston Cafe before relinquishing his share of that business, was upturned by voters after a single term.