Nominations closed today for the Central Otago District Council by-election

At midday today:

Five nominations were received to fill the vacancy for a Councillor to represent the Earnscleugh Manuherikia Ward on Council. They were:
Roger Browne (who was nominated by Bernice Lepper and Clair Higginson), Jeff Hill (who was nominated by Trevor Dyke and Thomas Wink), Jane Mitchell (who was nominated by Janet Lucas and Mark Smith), Ric Oram (who was nominated by Robin Hume and Louise Joyce) and Jenny Simmons (who was nominated by William Randle and William Cameron).

Three nominations were received to fill the vacancy on the Roxburgh Community Board. They were David Eckhoff (who was nominated by Holly Pemberton and Geraldine Middlemiss), Raymond Gunn (who was nominated by John Rowley and James Buchan) and John Preedy (who was nominated by John Kerr and Stephen Darling).

Kara Leckie, the Electoral Officer for Central Otago District Council said “Given that we have more than one nomination for each position, an election will be held in both the Earnscleugh Manuherikia and Roxburgh Wards.”

Central Otago Mayor, Tony Lepper was encouraged by the number of nominations and said “I was worried that people were not prepared to put their names forward for these very important positions in our community. The number and quality of candidates is very reassuring, a sign that people do realise that they can make a positive difference by being involved.”

Elections will be held on Thursday, 10 February 2011 by postal vote. Voting documents will be sent to all electors in the Earnscleugh Manuherikia and Roxburgh Wards between 19 and 24 January 2011.

Mrs Leckie emphasised that voting documents must be returned by post or delivered no later than 12 noon on Thursday 10 February 2011, to the Electoral Officer at the Council offices.