More hats thrown into the ring

A FORMER deputy mayor of South Wairarapa and the man who steered the council through its highly controversial contracting-out programme has thrown his hat back in the ring, for council only.
Max Stevens is seeking election as a Martinborough ward councillor after a two-term break, having sold his business and scaled down his involvement in it as manager under the new ownership.
Mr Stevens was first elected to council in 1989, when borough councils throughout South Wairarapa and the Featherston County Council were forced into a merger.
He served two terms under mayor John Garrity, the second as deputy mayor, and a further two terms as a councillor during John Read's mayoralty.
It was during this time the council became split along political lines with heated debates and even walkouts.
Mr Stevens was charged with overseeing the controversial proposal to contract out council services.
This brought about sustained and determined protests from council workers, unions and some councillors who combined to fight against it, but was eventually adopted.
Mr Stevens said yesterday his decision to step aside from local body politics had been mostly due to wanting to concentrate on his business interests but also because "the brick wall was becoming too splattered with blood".
Now, with his working life winding down a bit he had more time to devote to council work and there were a "few issues" he wanted to have a say in.
His nomination this week ensures there will be an election for the three places in the Martinborough ward as sitting councillors Bev Clark and Dianne Phelps have already nominated along with newcomer Julie Riddell.
Martinborough businessman David Kershaw and Carol Hawkins were referees for Mr Stevens.
Mrs Clark was nominated by Peter Craig and Jennifer Boyne, Mrs Phelps by Deborah Banks and Murray Nix and Mrs Riddell by Paul Riddiford and Ashton Herrick.
In the Featherston ward, sitting councillor Peter March has officially entered the race, being nominated by Caroline Finlay and Dale Finlay, and in Greytown incumbent ward councillor Steve Davis is back in the running, having been nominated by Yvonne Payne and Douglas Waygood.
An election in the Greytown ward is not yet guaranteed as only Mr Davis, Mike Gray and Margaret Craig have nominated for the three positions.
It is expected both Viv Napier and Kevin Lyford will put their names forward before nominations close at noon on Friday.
In Masterton another once-familiar face is seeking to again occupy a council seat.
Alison Vallance is standing for election to Masterton District Council "at large".
Mrs Vallance started her political career in1983 as a Masterton county councillor, joining the district council on amalgamation in 1989.
She served three terms on the district council and unsuccessfully sought the mayoralty in 1992, being one of two challengers seeking to unseat Bob Francis.
Referees for Mrs Vallance are Claire Cromie and Les Jonsson.
Also officially nominated for election "at large" is sitting councillor Judith Callaghan.
Mrs Callaghan has served one term and was nominated by Deborah Coom and Jeanette Bunny.