I’ve been elected!

Wed, Oct 16 2013

It’s official … I’ve been elected to the HB Regional Council!

My final count is 7,256 votes to Rose’s 7,195 … a margin of a mighty 61 votes. You can all lay claim for putting me over the top!

Here’s the statement I just released to the media …

“I am humbled to be chosen by voters in the Hastings constituency as one of their councillors. And I am immensely grateful to the diverse army of supporters who assisted my campaign in so many ways. I will work my butt off to justify the confidence all have placed in me.

As an individual, I have advanced a strong critique of the incumbent regional council, and I am encouraged that so many agreed. Expectations have been lifted and I look forward to the challenge of meeting them.

More imaginative leadership from the regional council can help move Hawke’s Bay from good to great in all its dimensions – economic, environmental and social.

But changing the culture of the HBRC, rebuilding confidence in it, and re-directing its path will require the persistent and collective efforts of at least five councillors, if not all nine. Rest assured I will be one of those pressing most energetically for change.

I congratulate each of the councillors elected to the next term, and look forward to working with them. And I commiserate with those who ran unsuccessfully. Having stood in their shoes three years ago, I fully empathize with their disappointment, especially that of Kevin Rose, who has twisted in the wind with me these past few days.”

I’ll have more to say, and people to thank, when I recuperate!

Tom
ends

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