A couple of new faces may find their way onto two of Central Otago’s four community boards yet after nominations for the upcoming elections were received yesterday.

After a slow start plenty of seats are still vacant for district councillors and some boards, however, with no-one yet putting their name forward for the latter in the Teviot Valley.   Current Teviot Valley member Sally Feinerman is the only person from that ward to have filed a nomination. 

She is standing for election for a district council seat that, if successful, would also see her appointed to the Teviot Valley Community Board.

The board is losing two experienced long-term members – chairperson Raymond Gunn and Stephen Jeffery who is also a district councillor. 

Another long-time member retiring from local body politics this term is Shirley Calvert from Cromwell.

A potential newcomer to the Cromwell Community Board is Mary McConnell who filed her nomination yesterday, while Dai Johns put his name on the list to be considered for the Vincent Community Board on Tuesday.

As of yesterday afternoon Cheryl Laws, Nigel McKinlay, Bob Scott, Tamah Alley, Lynley Claridge, Duncan Stuart and Sally Feinerman were listed as seeking a seat around the 11-strong council table.

Current Mayor Tim Cadogan is standing again for the mayoralty with no other candidates standing as yet.

No nominations have been received for any of the four available seats on Central Otago Health Inc.  This body represents the interests of the community and is the sole shareholder of Central Otago Health Services Ltd which operates Dunstan Hospital. 

Nominations close tomorrow, Friday August 12, at midday. The election will be held via a postal vote with documents being sent out the week of the 16th September. Election day is Saturday, October 8 with preliminary results being announced from midday, according to the Central Otago District Council’s website.