I heard with sadness during the week of the passing of former mayor of Central Otago District Council, Dr. Malcolm MacPherson.  

This follows just over a week since the passing of former CODC deputy mayor Cliff Brunton. Cliff was a character, and although I did not sit on council with him, I did get to know him through my time working alongside him as a lawyer.

Malcolm was mayor when I first came on to the Vincent Community Board many years ago but my first contact with him was prior to that and heavily influenced the type of mayor I try to be.

I had written to him querying how the planned Alexandra Swimming Pool could possibly cost the money that was being proposed. Of course, I hadn't read the council documents that no doubt described the reasons why, nor read any of the newspaper articles in the build-up nor submitted on the proposal before I put pen to paper.

I will always remember being surprised and pleased when I got a letter back from Malcolm (this was pre-email) where he patiently explained to me about the pool, the cost, the funding etc. I can't remember the details, but I can remember how it made me feel getting that letter. It made me feel valued, and it is a lesson I have tried to remember every day I have worn the chains he once wore.

Malcolm went on to do many things after the mayoralty including chairing Central Lakes Trust during my term with that wonderful organisation, through to revitalising Central Stories in more recent times.

Cliff and Malcolm; two guys who did way more than their bit for the community they lived in and who both leave behind lives very well lived.