Departing businessman David Mack leaves trail of debt

Businessman David Mack may have left Wanganui for the sake of his health, but he has also left a trail of debt and angry people in his wake.
A number of local businesses have told the Chronicle that Mr Mack has not settled accounts with them for amounts running into thousands of dollars.
But yesterday, Mr Mack said that he was owed more than $147,000 by local firms and until he was paid there was "absolutely no way" he could clear bills he owed.
Mr Mack, 47, told the Chronicle earlier this month that he was quitting business interests here because of ill health and moving back to Auckland. He had been creative director and marketing consultant for DCMA Ltd but closed the doors on that business in December.
News of his departure upset a number of local businesspeople.
John Sherwood, owner of Mickey's Super Liquor in Puriri St, said he was owed $5000, a debt Mr Mack ran up with his liquor store in March last year.
"He set up that caf? called Bugsy's on the War Memorial Hall forecourt in conjunction with the musical production Chicago," Mr Sherwood said.
"I provided him with alcohol and cigars for the caf?. He promised me payment, but it never came," he said.
Mr Sherwood said his contact with Mr Mack had been ongoing ever since the show.
"There were emails he sent promising payment, saying things like he was waiting for payment from another source and as soon as that came through I'd be getting my account settled.
"I'd meet him for a drink and ask where the money was. Still he'd promise payment but, again, nothing."
Mr Sherwood said when he saw the story in the Chronicle announcing Mr Mack had sold his business for health reasons he "saw red".
"I tell you, if I caught up with him the least of his worries would be his heart condition."
Mr Sherwood said he had placed the matter in the hands of debt collectors.
Wanganui Security Services is another city firm out of pocket to Mr Mack. Mark Simmonds said his company was owed several thousand dollars for services it supplied to Bugsy's cafe.
Andy Jarden, general manager of the Wanganui Chronicle, said Mr Mack owed his company $14,000.
"He promised to pay it several times, but he hasn't," Mr Jarden said.
"We've had a dozen promises from him over the last six months. We placed the account with debt collectors three months ago," he said.
Tim Davies, owner of Stellar Restaurant and Bar, said Mr Mack owes his establishment about $1500.
"He came to see me about holding the launch of the Wanganui website portal on November 11 last year. He asked us to provide food and drinks, open the function room and provide staff to serve guests.
"I asked him how he was going to pay for it. He said he'd use his credit card on the night. We were fine with that," Mr Davies said.
"We didn't charge him for the use of the room as a gesture of good faith. That was our contribution, because this was something promoting Wanganui."
But Mr Davies said Mr Mack "hasn't paid a dime".
"My staff have gone to his offices three times to get payment, and I've told him that if the account isn't paid it will be left in the hands of the debt collectors.
"I've given him plenty of opportunity to settle the account, but it will be passed on to the collectors once my administrator gets back to work," he said.
The Chronicle is also aware that Mr Mack leased office space in the lower Victoria Ave and has left owing about $7000 in unpaid rent.
Yesterday, Mr Mack told the Chronicle that he would be calling the services of a debt collector next month.
"We are owed considerably more than we owe," he said.
"In fact there are 67 companies in Wanganui that owe me money and every single one of them is at least 60 days overdue. Until I get that money, there's absolutely no way I can pay those others."
Mr Mack said as a result of tardy payments to him "I haven't been paid for months".
"We've got invoices in excess of $30,000 that have been outstanding since last June."
He said the Chronicle account was being disputed.
"There's a counter claim on that one, so that's not a debt. We believe the Chronicle owes us $3000, so be careful on that one."
"We've had our lawyers and forensic accountants look at it (the Chronicle account) and they're saying the Chronicle owes us $3000."
He acknowledged there was $4000 owed to Mickey's Super Liquor but said he had never been invoiced by Stellar Restaurant and Bar.
He also said the Wanganui District Council owed him $30,000 and had been arguing with them since April. That was for the Heritage Weekend.
"They're saying the last person who ordered goods for the event had no authority to do so. That's not my problem, that's their problem, so we had to eat 30 grand."
"I have a total debt of $21,642 to everybody alive and we are owed in excess of $147,000. If I've got to hit people with wind-up notices, then I will," Mr Mack said.
"I don't want to do that. There are companies dying all over the place, and I don't want to be the one to push over another 64 of them.
"I'm being fair, but if I don't receive any money I can't pay."