Next highest poller to be asked to join council

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 610, 31 October 1995, Page 1

Next highest poller to be asked to join council

At last Fridays' inaugural meeting of the Ruapehu District Council, three options were put forward for councillors to consider regarding the vacancy created by the resignation of Mark Ebrey as a member representing the Taumarunui Ward. The options were: to not fill the vacancy; to fill the vacancy by the appointment of a person qualified to be elected as a member; to hold a by-election. The cost of holding a by-election was estimated to be $13,341 based on the cost of a voter's pack (voting paper, return envelope etc) 95cents; postage 70cents; staff costs $1; miscellaneous (advertising, insurance etc 35 cents) for each of the 4447

electors on the Taumarunui Ward roll. Councillors chose the appointment of the next highest polling candidate, Kevin Amohia. It was decided to write to Mr Amohia inviting him onto Council. In supporting this decision Cr Graeme Cosford, reminded councillors that in the past Council there had been three resignations. "What fools we would have been seen to be if we had had three by-elections. At least this candidate put his name forward and while others may be willing to serve on council, they did not put their names forward."