Taumarunui provides Ruapehu deputy mayor

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 313, 14 November 1989, Page 2

Taumarunui provides Ruapehu deputy mayor

Taumarunui councillor Weston Kirton, 34, is the first Ruapehu District deputy mayor. He won a three-way competition at last week's inaugural district council meeting, narrowly beating National Park Ward councillor Ken Malcolm. Mayor Workman said prior to voting he had hoped a front runner would emerge. He said he found it difficult to support one candidate because there were two

different groups of support and he did not want to alienate one group. He said because of this he decided not to promote any one contender. There had been a number of other contenders for the job prior to the meeting but when nominations were called for at the open meeting three names were put forward, the third being Cr Edward Turley. The council was told

the vote must be open, and by show of hands. After the first vote Cr Turley dropped out, gaining just two votes. The second call for votes saw Kirton gain seven votes with all five Taumarunui councillors, plus Joe Murphy and Bill Peach choosing him. Most southern members voted for Ken Malcolm. Cr Ellen Gould and Mayor Garrick Workman abstained.