Newcomer McCall chosen deputy — opinion divided
The new chairwoman of Otago Regional Council says it is time for the organisation to deliver.
Cr Gretchen Robertson, who has been on the council for 15 years, has succeeded Cr Andrew Noone, who stood aside.
She is joined by newcomer Cr Lloyd McCall as her deputy.
Both councillors beat returnee Cr Kevin Malcolm for the top jobs 7-5 in both cases at the inaugural meeting in Dunedin yesterday.
The deputy’s appointment left a bitter taste for Cr Michael Laws, who felt appointing the more experienced Cr Malcolm would have led to a more unified council.
Cr Robertson said they needed to deliver on pre-existing work plans.
"I feel we’ve got a lot on our plate ... We need to be doing the do right now."
She envisaged a lot of positive work ahead, working on the land and water plan and coast and air plan.
The council had the opportunity to lead the country in areas like water catchment management and transport, she said.
"As well as planning for the future we need to work a lot more to deliver."
"I had a tear in my eye when I looked over and saw my son who was listening, and also my mum, who I think had tears in her eyes."
She said she was pleased with who was chosen for her deputy, as Cr McCall had a "complementary set of skills" to her.
Cr McCall has a background in finance and farming, and Cr Robertson science and policy development.
"I think we’ll be able to work together really well and create some really good balance," she said.
However, Cr Laws said the five councillors who voted for Cr Malcolm for both roles were not being fairly represented.
"It was a real chance of unity and a commonality of purpose lost today," he said.
Politics had been in play during the vote, meaning a well deserving councillor had missed out, he said.
He said Cr Malcolm had the experience and expertise to succeed in either of the roles and his failure had made him nervous for what was to come.
"If we’ve got factional politics being played already. That does not bode well for the future."
