Councillor Peter Johns to run again for seat on council

Woodville's former Tararua District councillor, Peter Johns.

A former Tararua District councillor is having another tilt at gaining a seat on the council, determined to push for urgency in resolving Woodville's water woes.

Peter Johns lost his seat at the last local body elections after just one term, but he is one of two who have put their names forward for the coming byelection for the south ward. The seat became vacant after Eketahuna's Warren Davidson resigned suddenly five weeks ago. The other nomination is from Pahiatua's Andy Thompson.

Mr Johns told the Dannevirke News he felt strongly that the three southern districts, Woodville, Pahiatua and Eketahuna, should each have their own representation on the council, after his loss left Woodville without a local representative.

"It's got to be seen as fair," he said.

But it is the issue of Woodville's water supply which Mr Johns wants to push along if he regains a seat on the council.

"We've got to see some pace, especially with reports of a bad El Nino, which could see Woodville with major water issues. The investigations shouldn't take so long and we should be getting on with it with urgency."

Mr Johns was a strong advocate for his community on the council, but he faced a code of conduct complaint in January 2012 from council chief executive Blair King after comments he made at an extraordinary council meeting in December the previous year, as councillors discussed the contentious closure of Oxford Rd during a major closure of the Manawatu Gorge.

Mr King said at the time it was highly inappropriate for Mr Johns to say in an open meeting that he had been given poor advice and he then gave Mr Johns several opportunities to retract his comments - which he did not do.

Mr Johns later admitted there was a code of conduct which said he could not criticise staff and admitted he was guilty. He subsequently sent a letter of apology for criticising Mr King in a public meeting. However, Mr King laid a complaint and during a formal hearing said he felt his professional integrity and competence had been maligned in front of staff, media and the public.

Mr Johns later made a public apology.

Voting papers for the byelection will be delivered by October 6, with polling closing at noon on October 28.