Gary Caffell has announced his third bid for the Masterton mayoralty. PHOTO/FILE
MARY ARGUE
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Gary Caffell’s is making a third bid for the Masterton mayoralty.
The straight-talking councillor announced his bid on Monday.
Caffell said almost four terms at Masterton District Council meant he had “never felt more ready”.
“I have served as chair on all the major committees.
“The experience of being on council since 2010, and leading the Parks and Reserves task group means there is nothing, I believe, that I can’t handle.”
Caffell said there was a multitude of reasons behind his bid, but the primary motivator was rectifying what he saw as an “alarming gulf between the council and the community”.
He said he wanted to address the community’s current distrust of the council.
“My first priority would be to think very seriously about how to get the council and the community working closely together.”
Caffell said the council’s Civic Centre debacle and deciding not to consult on the annual plan and a 6.8 per cent rate rise were major contributors to the current community attitude.
“We are not giving the community the opportunity to speak, and that’s sad.”
He said leadership suited him.
“I do like being a leader, and I think I work better as a leader.
“Everything comes back to community for me, and I really enjoy working with people.”
Caffell said he was determined to give the bid his “best shot” and was prepared for the sharpening of knives in the run-up to the October elections.
He said his slogan ‘standing together’ summed up his approach to the campaign.
He wanted to see the community and the council working alongside each other for the betterment of Masterton, with consultation and transparency at the forefront.
“I hope my experience and dependability would mean people see me as a safe pair of hands.
“I’m not a person that will bullshit. I like to say it as it is.”
