A year ago, before the local body elections, Waitaki mayoral hopeful Alex Familton used the old-fashioned "meet and greet" to lift his profile.
The Palmerston man and Waihemo ward councillor on the Waitaki District Council did house-to-house campaigning, particularly in Oamaru.
That paid off, and he beat incumbent Alan McLay to become Waitaki's new mayor.
That was just over 12 months ago - the election was on October 13.
But his approach has continued over the past year with Mayor Alex and Mayoress Heather as busy as they expected, at least two weekends out of three at functions and events around the district.
Mr Familton has found the first year better than he thought and more interesting.
"It's been a privilege to see a lot of people in much more detail than I've been able to in the past. It's been very interesting and absorbing," he said.
He had been impressed by the way people were happy to share their experiences, innovations and initiatives with Mrs Familton and himself.
It has also been a very busy first year, working most weekends.
"Recently we have had five weekends in a row at functions and events. We realised when we had the sixth weekend free that we hadn't had a Saturday and Sunday to ourselves for so long," he said.
He knew there would be a heavy workload, but he acknowledges he is also a person who likes to be involved, and put in the time that is needed.
There would be "no problem" maintaining that for the rest of his three-year term.
Asked if he had achieved what he wanted to in the first 12 months, or whether he was still finding his feet as mayor, Mr Familton said there had not been a big learning curve because he had been in positions - both as principal of East Otago High School and at a university - where he had to work in team situations.
He also served a term as the Waihemo councillor and, before that, a term on the Waihemo Community Board.
There had been a lot of continuity on the council after last October's elections and that had helped.
Councillors were self-motivated - they had to be, to get up and stand in the election.
"Every one of them has a direction and energy in what they are doing," he said.
Asked about what he wanted to achieve in the next two years, Mr Familton said there were always new horizons.
"If you walk forward, the field keeps changing and never stands still. You come into the office every day, you pick up two or three pieces of the puzzle," he said.
However, the system, regulations, legislation and consultation could slow down what was wanted to be achieved.
He would like to push the development of a new industrial area just north of the Oamaru boundary, and the Oamaru Harbour area.
He does not see the current global economic downturns as being a major hindrance to development in the district.
"I believe we are very fortunate we have developments such as dairying, which is flourishing. A lot of people in the district have taken a lot of risks in the dairying field, and are getting their rewards.
"That will give the downstream flow-on necessary to keep the district going," he said.
The district had not dipped as badly as some areas of New Zealand, and he believed that moderate trend would continue.
Mr Familton does not consider remaining in Palmerston a drawback.
When elected, he said he would "establish a base" in Oamaru.
Having family in Oamaru had helped, he said.
He and Mrs Familton still intended to have a permanent residence in Oamaru.
Will he seek re-election in 20po10?Mr Familton said he had not yet decided.
What he wanted to do, in conjunction with council chief executive Michael Ross, was to create some sort of system of succession, not just for the mayoralty but also council and staff.
Mr Familton will deliver his first "state of the district" address at the North Otago Club, Tees St in Oamaru, on October 22, not the North Otago Golf Club as reported on October 11.
