One of the contenders to become the new Howick Local Board’s deputy chairperson says the community’s two ward councillors encouraged him to go for the role.
Board members Bruce Kendall and Bo Burns put themselves forward as potential deputy chairs when they and their colleagues were sworn in on October 31 to begin their new three-year term.
The meeting at Uxbridge Arts and Culture in Howick began with newcomer Damian Light being elected the board’s new chairperson by six votes to three over rival David Collings.
Kendall and Burns were then asked to explain why they wanted to be deputy chair.
Burns said she’d considered standing to become chairperson, but decided against it.
“It’s not that I can’t do the role, it’s that I thought I was more prepared to work alongside Damian Light.
“He has more time than I do to put the 40 to 60 hours into that role, and I have the time, energy, passion and vision to support him, and the drive as a professional deputy chair.
“I would greatly appreciate being elected in and I wouldn’t disappoint.”
Kendall said he’d had encouragement from the community to stand for chair and deputy chair.
“I don’t really feel like I have the time to do the chair [role] and don’t really feel like I have the experience to be the chair, but I do have time to be deputy chair.
“I’ve developed a lot of relationships in the community and I think I’d be good at this role in supporting Damian and the other board members to be the best they can achieve in the community.”
Board members then had the chance to comment or ask questions of the two candidates.
Collings said it’s an important time for the board to work with the Howick ward’s councillors, Sharon Stewart and Maurice Williamson, both of whom were in attendance.
“I think it’s really important we’ve got really good working relationships with our two councillors, so I’d like to hear from both of the candidates in regard to that.”
Burns responded she’s a collaborative person who likes working with many people in the community.
“I haven’t had the opportunity to work with Sharon [Stewart] directly over any projects in the last three years.
“I don’t think we’ve all many opportunities to do that in the Covid environment.
“I’m looking forward to building relationships not just with our two councillors but all groups and stakeholders.”
Kendall then addressed Collings’ comments.
He said he’d spoken to Williamson that day and Stewart previously and both councillors “would very much like me to stand for deputy chair”.
“I’ve worked quite a lot with Sharon in the last term and she’s introduced me to a lot of members of the community and a lot of the issues in the community,” Kendall said.
“We’ve worked together to try to progress these issues and solve them.
“Some of these projects are still ongoing, so I would like to continue in that role.
“I believe as deputy chair it would be easier to get some of these things done with our councillors and our other board members.”
Burns was eventually elected the board’s deputy chair by five votes to four.
