Cherry Lucas did not expect the phone call inviting her to consider being Dunedin’s next deputy mayor, but the first-term councillor feels well equipped to take on the assignment.
The former Dunedin City Council finance department employee and corporate planner said her familiarity with the organisation was an asset to her as a new councillor and she was honoured to accept the mayor’s request.
Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich announced his new choice of deputy mayor yesterday afternoon, less than 24 hours after Sophie Barker had resigned.
Cr Barker resigned on Monday, a few days after filing a code of conduct complaint against the mayor after he had, in a media interview, minimised racial abuse by a community board chairman.
Mr Radich said Cr Lucas was experienced in governance roles, including serving on boards for iD Dunedin Fashion, the Otago Farmers Market Trust and development of the new Mosgiel pool.
Her appointment as deputy mayor is expected to be formally noted by the council on September 26.
"I’m happy to support Jules and I think I can add something for the good of the city," Cr Lucas said.
Mr Radich said he tended to look at the bigger picture while Cr Lucas was strong on detail.
She was raised on a farm in South Otago and attended the University of Otago where she studied accounting.
In a pre-election statement last year, she said she established the Dunedin office for Industry NZ, now NZTE, and was the regional economic development adviser for Otago and Southland.
In the past 20 years she had been heavily involved in her three children’s sporting activities and assisted her husband on their farm and with small businesses.
She campaigned on getting back to basics, listening to the community and tidying up the city.
Mr Radich thanked Cr Barker for her service as deputy mayor.
She had been enthusiastic and hard-working, but he respected her decision to step down.
"I know her strong advocacy for our wonderful city will continue as she remains a dedicated Dunedin city councillor."
