Opinion: Byelection prospect leaves me torn

The Rotorua Lakes Council's Rural Community Board (from left) Shirley Trumper, Chris Sutton, Euan McLachlan and Bob Martin. Photo/File

It seems like just yesterday we were hunched over our computers and phones in the newsroom awaiting the results of the last local body elections.

It was in fact October - time surely flies when you are having fun.

Less than 10 months into the three-year term the Rotorua Lakes Council is facing the prospect of spending around $19,000 on a byelection after the resignation of Rural Community Board member Euan McLachlan.

He was one of four members of the board - all of whom were appointed unopposed last October when only four nominations were received.

Mr McLachlan has been offered a new job following his passion, meaning he now doesn't have the time needed to devote to the board.

While I do not know Mr McLachlan, I have no doubt he did not make the decision lightly, and he will undoubtedly make a valuable contribution to Maori education in his new role.

Yet on the flip side, it is a little disappointing. Not least because it could cost the council, therefore ratepayers, $19,000.

When people stand in local body elections they are aware it's a three-year commitment. There will likely be those that believe that commitment should be honoured to the end, barring exceptional circumstances - and I do have some sympathy for that argument.

But realistically, stuff happens in life, priorities change. Surely we would rather have elected representatives who are able to give their best to their role rather than someone being torn in a million directions due to other commitments.

But it's left me in a strange state of indecision.

The ratepayer in me thinks it would be handy if just one person was nominated, saving on byelection costs. Yet the supporter of democracy in me hopes there are a bevy of qualified candidates vying for the spot. I guess we'll just have to wait until September 5 to find out.