Napier Mayoralty hopeful Cliff Church promises he won't be as hard to pin down when he has the chains of office as he has been in chasing them.
Grabbing a bite to eat last night at home in Napier, between his day job as a community lawyer and night-shift in a
barbershop quartet in a show in Hastings, he said the law job would have to go if the electorate favoured him over incumbent Mayor Barbara Arnott. Confirming his determination is his decision to also seek a council seat, which mirrors the dual campaigns run by nephew and former councillor Ashley Church when he first hit the campaign trail.
Mr Church, 48, was born in Napier. He has lived in Shackleton Street, Maraenui, with his wife, Christine, for 20 years. He is one of seven people in battle for two positions in the Nelson Park ward.
His was inspired to challenge Mrs Arnott, who has bowed to pressure from her council to seek a third term, by a lack of progress in securing the future of Marineland, and a lack of support from within the council for Cr Harry Lawson, who he says has been a "lone voice" at the table seeking permission for more dolphins.
He says he will work tirelessly for the replacement of dolphins at Marineland, and "ensure a future for Marineland by improving and enlarging the facilities."
He calls it his "election platform," but he will call on his experience in a wide range of committee roles and business to further the interests of the city.
His current work for the Hawke's Bay Community Law has a background of a degree in law and a BA, majoring in anthropology. He is also a member of a barbershop quartet, Raw Sugar, performing in The Musicman at the Playhouse Theatre.
