Bell preparing for job as Gore's new mayor, while Hicks won't rule out a recount
Monday, 10 October 2022
Ben Bell will spend the next few days preparing to be the Gore district’s new mayor, as he waits for the official word that he’s got the top job.
However, incumbent mayor Tracy Hicks hasn’t given up the fight yet, saying he’s not ruling out a recount if the vote remains tight.
Bell is 13 votes ahead of Hicks, and needs just 21 more votes to win the mayoralty. The district’s 67 special votes will decide his fate and the decision will be announced on Thursday.
“I wish I was like every other mayoral candidate in the country and knew whether I had the job or not,’’ Bell said on Monday.
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“I’m feeling a range of emotions – I’m excited, and I’m nervous too. I’ve been surprised and humbled by the support I’ve had.”
If he’s voted in he’ll be New Zealand’s youngest ever mayor, at the age of 23.
“At the start of the campaign it seemed like that was a big deal but as it's gone on I think people have realised my age isn’t that important.’’
It was a long weekend for Bell, whose Team Hokonui had a celebratory dinner on Saturday night after two of its members, Joe Stringer and Robert McKenzie, were voted onto council.
He’s spent the rest of the time playing X-Box “so I could clear my brain a bit’’ and fielding phone calls.
Some of those calls have been from councillors who have been voted back on to council.
Council chief executive Stephen Parry also called him on Sunday night.
“It was very pleasant… he said he was there to help,’’ Bell said.
He had not heard from Hicks.
“I think it would be inappropriate at the moment, but I plan to call him on Thursday regardless of which way it goes.’’
Until the final count is announced, Bell plans to spend time preparing for the new job, so he can hit the ground running on Thursday if he gets that phone call.
“I’ll be talking to some community leaders again, getting myself prepared, and starting to develop some plans.
“With the vote split pretty much 50-50 it’s going to be a big job to unite the community again.’’
Hicks said it was ‘’most unusual to have an election that was this tight”.
“If there’s only a few in it then we need to make sure that everything is above board and has been done properly. I’m not saying I will go for a recount, but I’m not saying I won’t, either.’’
He had also spent much of the weekend on the phone.
“The phone calls and texts have kept me pretty busy to be honest, but we had some people around and have just been relaxing really, I’ve had a lot of support.’’