Newly elected Western Bay of Plenty District councillor Graeme Crossman is resigning due to family business pressures, forcing a by-election in the Maketu-Te Puke ward.
The Kiwi 360 tourism business operator was elected as one of four councillors to the Maketu-Te Puke Ward, with 1514 votes on October 12's local body elections.
Graeme Crossman has resigned from the Western Bay of Plenty District Council forcing a by-election.
In a press release from WBOPDC Council today, Graeme says he is resigning due to unexpected business developments, rendering it impossible to commit the necessary time and contribution for the position.
Graeme's resignation leaves his ward one councillor short for the new term, triggering an extra-ordinary vacancy and a by-election.
The estimated cost of the by-elections is $28,700 plus GST, or $2.10 plus GST per elector.
In total 13,630 electors – 10,961 in the Maketu-Te Puke Ward, and 2669 in the Waihi Beach Community Board area – will be receiving a voting pack for the by-elections.
Under the required timeframe of the Local Electoral Act, the earliest a by-election can be held is February 10, 2014.
Unavoidable commitments, as a result of changed circumstances for his family tourism business, and the need for considerable overseas travel means he can no longer make a credible contribution to council, says Graeme.
Western Bay Mayor Ross Paterson fully understands the dilemma faced by Graeme in view of his changed circumstances – and it is far better he has made the decision to resign immediately rather than later in the term.
Ross says he was looking forward to the contribution Graeme's business, marketing and innovative skills, would have brought to the new council team.
'I wish Graeme all the best with his exciting business prospects. Meanwhile, we are moving forward with the new team on council and I look forward to Graeme's seat being filled as soon as possible.”
Ross says while a by-election in the Maketu-Te Puke Ward will be at a cost, this will be minimised by merging it with a by-election already required for the Waihi Beach Community Board due to insufficient candidates standing for election.
'The council will be holding the Maketu-Te Puke Ward by-election in conjunction with Waihi Beach Community Board by-election on Tuesday, 11 February 2014.”
The timetable for both by-elections is:
- Monday, November 18, 2013 - Nominations open/roll open for inspection.
- Monday, December 16, 2013 - Nominations close/roll closes.
- Monday, January 20, 2014 - Post out voting packs.
- Tuesday, February 11, 2014 - Close of voting (noon).
11 comments
What a waste of tax payer money
Posted on 22-10-2013 11:05 | By Angelique
Why not take the next person on the list, it hasn't been 2 weeks since the election.
Guess who pays the by election costs?
Posted on 22-10-2013 11:20 | By Phailed1
Well I suppose it is the poor old ratepayer once again. Lucky the council has so much money and we don't have debt to worry about? But then again?
The cost is crazy
Posted on 22-10-2013 12:42 | By The Sage
For goodness sake, the election was only a couple of weeks ago. Where is the responsibility of the successful candidates to meet some, if not all, of this cost?
Overit
Posted on 22-10-2013 15:14 | By overit
Its a pity he had not thought of this first as it will cost $28,000 to remedy the situation now. What a waste of money.
joke
Posted on 22-10-2013 16:41 | By peecee09
he should pay for the byelection. surely you should be sure that you can do the job before you allow your name to go forward. it's a joke.
@Angelique
Posted on 22-10-2013 18:50 | By Sambo Returns
exachery, but thats common sense, and very undemocratic.
Rate Payers should not have to fit the bill.
Posted on 22-10-2013 18:57 | By ADNZ
It's a pity that he has had to make the decision due to business and personal circumstances but I don't think we should fit all of the cost! We don't get a lot for what we pay as it is, and now we have to pay for this disaster of an election decision.
Idiocy as its best
Posted on 22-10-2013 19:20 | By Bronzewing
They haven't even sworn him in. He is not a councillor until he has taken the oath of office. Why not use the next highest polling punter and get on with life?
Like a complete 360?
Posted on 23-10-2013 09:42 | By Annalist
Wanting to be a councillor, campaigning, winning and then resigning looks like a 360 degree turn to me. I might understand the dilemma, but surely a good thing to do would be to pay for the expenses caused. Maybe it could even be a business expense?
Graeme Grossman
Posted on 23-10-2013 16:37 | By Omokoroa retiree
He must have known before the Election,he was going to pull out. Why waste taxpayers money. I suggest the person with highest votes after him, get the positon.
next up
Posted on 23-10-2013 16:42 | By Me again
surely taking the next candidate would be in order as the newbies have not been sworn in and that would save some cost and the one who has just resigned pay a portion if not all. Stands to reason and less cost to the rate-payers
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