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John Kirk-Anderson / Stuff
Alexandra Davids faces a challenge to her leadership on the Waikura / Linwood-Central-Heathcote Community Board.
A community leader has warned five Christchurch politicians aligned with Labor that there will be consequences if they go ahead with plans to oust the chairman of the board, Alexandra Davids.
Five People’s Choice Waikura / Linwood-Central-Heathcote board members, including city councilors Jake McLellan and Yani Johanson, received a severe reprimand at Wednesday’s board meeting.
Earlier this month, the five wrote to Christchurch City Council Executive Director Dawn Baxendale, describing their intention to vote on November 30 to remove Davids as president.
The move came less than a month after People’s Choice member Sunita Gautam was elected to the board in a by-election following the death of longtime member Sally Buck.
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Gautam’s victory gave the People’s Choice a majority on the nine-person board. The Local Government Law says that a vote to remove a president can be requested if the majority of the members support him.
Former board member and community leader Brenda Lowe Johnson, who was supported at the meeting by 20 other community leaders, accused the five of practicing bad politics.
“It’s about power and control and stripping good people of their mana.
“Please, I ask you once again, please do not do this, otherwise there must be consequences in the next elections.”
John Kirk-Anderson / Stuff
Community leader Brenda Lowe Johnson told five People’s Choice members of the Linwood-Central-Heathcote Community Board that they are practicing bad policy.
Lowe Johnson said the Linwood area needed tender, loving care and equality that depended on the active participation of a board that could help voters.
“This is not happening. We have a dysfunctional board.”
Aliitasi Stewart, Pasifika community leader, asked what was going on at the board that required a change in leadership.
“If it’s about power and control, forget it, I’m not interested. All I want to see is you guys doing your job. “
Board member Michelle Lomax, one of the five, responded by saying that the board was about listening to diverse opinions and that she appreciated those opinions that were brought to the table.
The power play has divided the board, with independent members Cr Sara Templeton, Tim Lindley and Darrell Latham all supporting Davids.
Latham accused all five, which also includes Jackie Simons, of practicing “Trump-style” politics and Lindley said their actions were “despicable and disgraceful.”
John Kirk-Anderson / Stuff
Cr Yani Johanson is supporting an initiative to oust Alexandra Davids.
Johanson said last week that he did not agree to using the emergency powers of Covid-19 to have a special meeting to appoint a president before the by-elections.
McLellan said the board needed someone with competence, skills and experience to lead it.
“I think there are several potential candidates that would increase the effectiveness of the board.”
Community board members receive about $ 24,500 and the president receives twice as much.
Buck resigned as president in April and one of his last actions on the board was to vote for Davids as his replacement as president.
Templeton said it was perfectly acceptable and legal for Buck to call a meeting via video link during the closing. The attorneys were present and gave clear advice on the meeting and the process.
Davids has been on the board for seven years. She is an advocate for the Battered Women’s Trust and chairs the New Zealand local government community executive board, the Whitau School board of directors, and Keep New Zealand Beautiful.
