This will be the last column I write for Mountain Scene as mayor of Queenstown Lakes district.
As such, I have a few things to say.
Firstly, thank you.
Thank you for voting for me in the first place, thank you to the large number of folk who have supported me, thank you to the wonderful people who have stopped me in the street and supermarket with words of encouragement, and thank you for allowing me to lead this wonderful community for the past six years.
Yes, the last two years have been tough, bloody tough, and, as I’ve said in the past, I am in awe of the business community and the amazing people of this district for their tenacity to survive through what surely will be the worst commercial disaster to strike the district.
I also want to thank our councillors, for having the guts to stand up and put themselves forward for public office.
In these days of social media, it’s all too easy to stand on the sidelines and criticise.
It takes tenacity and courage to put yourself in the firing line and stand for office.
As a council, we haven’t always agreed, but if I look at other parts of the country, we’ve achieved a hell of a lot and done so while remaining civil.
To council staff, you’re a great bunch and I’ve enjoyed working with you.
Thank you for your support and for getting the job done — yours is not an easy task and often not recognised.
Something I can’t say ‘‘thank you’’ for — those who write multi-page emails, highly agitated over a parking ticket.
Find me any town or city, in any part of the world, where you don’t get fined for parking on a taxi stand or a bus stop.
And I will definitely not miss the letters from visitors threatening to go to the media and never come back to Queenstown if they don’t get their parking ticket cancelled.
Things that I will miss include the wonderful interaction with the community, achieving really good outcomes through interaction with central government (in most cases!), our wonderful citizenship ceremonies, great debate in council meetings and my positive and collaborative relationship with fellow Southern mayors — only in Otago would the mayors get together on a Friday night ‘‘stubbie zoom’’ to discuss local issues.
Today, the mayoress and I are off to enjoy a few weeks’ holiday and then back to start a new career.
A number of people have asked me what I’m going to do — I’m not sure yet, but I’m sure it will be interesting.
One thing I will be doing, however, is stepping up to the plate to assist two of my favourite not-for- profits with fundraising: Child
Cancer Foundation and the Whakatipu Rowing Club.
And, of course, I have put my name forward as a trustee for the Central Lakes Trust.
This wonderful organisation does so many good things in our district.
I do hope you support my bid by ticking my name on the ballot form.
That’s it from me. Travel well, Whakatipu.
It has been an honour to lead you.
Jim Boult was Queenstown’s mayor
