I CONGRATULATE the seven candidates for giving a Carterton audience, including their possible future boss, mayor John Booth, their presentation on Wednesday night on why they should take the vacant seat on council.
The Wairarapa Times-Age hosted this event, and as always, timing for these presentations is tricky. Do we have an after-work presentation, with people hungry for dinner, or do you risk a later time, when people are getting fond of the after-dinner comfort of the couch.
In the end, I had confidence in the engagement and participation of the Carterton residents to go for the well-fed evening option.
You probably could not have had a more genuine slice of Carterton demographic than what was on stage at the Event Centre that night. Everyone respected that each person was genuine in wanting to step forward and serve their community as an elected official. As I said in the opening, these were not battle-hardened parliamentary candidates, spoiling for a debate and a bit of heckle. A bit of edginess does make for better news stories - the LGC presentation, and hard time Fran Wilde got from the audience, is a case in point. But, as host, I wanted respect, and it was easily given.
Postal voting papers should have now made their way to mailboxes in Carterton, to approximately 6400 voters. If you haven't got one, you can still cast a special vote by updating your details at any PostShop or calling 0800 367 656.