By Emily O'Connell -December 19, 2017

https://www.star.kiwi/2017/12/close-vote-shows-fails-topple-mora-broughton/

Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board chairman Mike Mora and deputy chairwoman Helen Broughton have narrowly survived being toppled from their positions.

At the board meeting last week, five members voted to keep Mike Mora as chairman and Helen Broughton as deputy chairwoman.

And four members voted against – these were Riccarton Ward city councillor Vicki Buck, Halswell Ward city councillor Anne Galloway and board members Natalie Bryden and Catherine Chu.

Cr Galloway and Ms Bryden are both People’s Choice members, a local body political party closely aligned to Labour, as is Mr Mora.

The board decided to review the positions a year ago – a decision that Mrs Broughton is calling “very unusual.”

Ms Bryden said she voted against the current chairs because sometimes change can be good.

She said a few people may have been interested in becoming chair, but she wasn’t sure who.

Ms Bryden didn’t wish to comment on whether she thinks the chairs have done a good job.

Mrs Broughton thought the voting “was slightly unacceptable.”

She had thought there would be more votes to keep the status quo.

Mike Mora said he wasn’t surprised and he was “happy with the result.”

Save Denton Park group member Marc Duff believes Mr Mora’s stance on Denton Park may have affected the vote.

“Maybe Mr Mora is paying the price for voting for Kyle Park and speaking out against Denton Park, but he at least showed he can listen to his community,” he said.

Mr Mora said anything controversial can cause tension and it’s especially difficult when you don’t get all the information “in a timely fashion.”

Mr Mora and Mrs Broughton will remain in their roles until October 2019 when their terms conclude.

The community board also decided to hold its meetings in a different location next year.

The meetings will be in the Fendalton Library and Service Centre on Jeffreys Rd.

Mrs Broughton said although the centre is out of its ward, she believes the library will provide a better space: “The public can sit and see and hear all the board members,” she said.

Mrs Broughton made a resolution to note any concerns from constituents.

“It’s not set in stone, but I think it’s worth doing for at least six months.”