Coach just makes deadline

If you had to leave it to the last minute to get your nomination in, it's just as well you're an athletics coach.

Mark Harris was the last to present his nomination for a councillor position with Masterton.

Nine people rushed to chuck their hat in the ring within an hour before nominations for local body elections closed yesterday.

Masterton man Mr Harris, who is standing for urban ward, got his nomination in about two minutes before closing time.

"Nothing like a last-minute application," Mr Harris said.

He said he was standing to promote development of the town by looking at youth options; to reduce the average age of counsellors; and to bring about an "open and transparent process".

Director of Ziggy's Glass, Simon O'Donoghue who is "Masterton born and bred" is also standing for urban ward.

He said he was standing because he wants an independent Wairarapa. "It's basically about the unitary authority and I believe the Wairarapa should be standing on its own two feet, that's my sole reason for standing. I don't think we need Wellington," Mr O'Donoghue said.

Two-term district councillor Lyn Patterson dropped her mayoral nomination in yesterday as well.

Mrs Patterson, an accountant with the Institute of Professional Engineers in Wellington has lived in Wairarapa for 37 years and is chairwoman of the Wairarapa Governance Review Working Party. She joins Times-Age sports writer and district councillor Gary Caffell in challenging incumbent mayor Garry Daniell.

Other nominations for urban ward are Peter Debney and Peter McNeur. Shaun McGillicuddy, Brent Goodwin and Bruce Laing have stood at large.

They join incumbents Graham McClymont, standing for rural ward, Doug Bracewell, Gary Caffell and Lyn Patterson for urban ward and Pip Hannon, David Holmes, Jonathan Hooker and Chris Peterson who are standing at large.

Incumbents not standing in October are Jane Terpstra and Judith Callaghan.