By-election to be held for West Otago Ward

Nominations will open next week for Clutha District Council West Otago Ward By-election.

Following the recent resignation of Councillor Michelle Kennedy of the West Otago Ward of the Clutha District Council (CDC), an extraordinary vacancy has occurred, and a by-election will now be held to fill the vacancy.

Mrs Kennedy said her decision to “reluctantly resign” from Council came after a lot of consideration, as a result of health issues.

“I must say that I have enjoyed my years on the Council and have been proud to represent the West Otago ward.

“I wish the CDC all the best in the future and I must say that it has been great to be part of a great team,” Mrs Kennedy said.

Mayor Bryan Cadogan said he would miss working with Michelle around the Council table as she was a much liked and respected member of the team.

“She never left you in doubt as to what she was thinking and always had her beloved West Otago and the Districts best interests at heart.

“Michelle and Graham Edgar are ‘salt of the earth’ people that you can trust to do the right thing and we wish them both well for their future,” Mayor Cadogan said.

Nomination papers will be available from Tuesday 22 December 2020 from:

• Clutha District Council’s Main Office, 1 Rosebank Terrace, Balclutha;
• Tapanui Service/Information Centre, 1 Suffolk Street, Tapanui;
• by accessing www.cluthadc.govt.nz;
• by phoning 0800 922 822.

To be eligible to stand for election, a candidate must be:

• enrolled as a Parliamentary elector; and
• a New Zealand citizen; and
• nominated by two electors of the West Otago Ward area.

If more than one nomination is received by the close of nominations at noon on Tuesday 19 January 2021, a postal ballot will be held for the electors of the West Otago Ward. The by-election will conclude at noon, Wednesday 17 March 2021.

The preliminary roll will be available for public inspection between Tuesday 22 December 2020 and Tuesday 19 January 2021 at the above locations.

Ends.