5 April 2013

Moving it Forward as Miccio announces second term Mayoralty bid

Nelson Mayor, Aldo Miccio has today announced his mayoralty candidacy for the 2013 local body elections, saying he is firmly committed to moving the vision for Nelson forward.

With at least six Nelson City Councillors publicly confirming support for his bid for second term as Mayor of Nelson, the 2010 pledge of Making it Happen sits confidently behind today’s announcement of Moving it Forward.

Mayor Miccio says the vision he and his fellow Councillors had for the city is taking shape with numerous achievements cemented, affirming his determination to ensure the continuity required to see existing and new projects to fruition.

“I originally pledged my passion for Nelson to the people of Nelson. It is this passion, commitment, enthusiasm and leadership that will ensure our city continues to develop and achieve its goals,” he says. “Rome wasn’t built in a day, but the bricks that have been laid over the past three years show significant progress and that we have indeed been Making it Happen.”

“In 2010 I promised a progressive Council which would attract investment, families, businesses and jobs to the region, forming the basis of the four familiar campaign pillars. ‘Affordable Council’, ‘Economic Growth’, ‘New Job Opportunities & Education’, and ‘Nelson on the Map’,” Miccio says. “We have delivered on this vision for Nelson and will continue with projects that are underway and in the pipeline. We delivered an average Rates increase of 3.6% - the lowest for any three-year term in 20 years, and Nelson City Council debt is in the bottom 20% of all Councils in New Zealand, and will remain as such.”

Councillor Jeff Rackley has pledged his support for Mayor Miccio, indicating that the depth of support stretched well beyond the period of this next term.

“Aldo has the question of what is best for Nelson at heart and as such I’d stand by him to the hilt,” Rackley says. “His leadership qualities, business experience and honesty in my opinion make him the only one for the job, and for at least the next couple of terms at that.”

Councillor Pete Rainey said that he was also fully supportive of Miccio’s Mayoralty bid, describing him as a natural, young and energetic leader.

“There is no question that Aldo has the ingrained ability to get on with everyone and pull teams of people together,” Rainey says. “We have a team of strong and diverse individuals, sometimes opposing, but most definitely working together. Aldo is an excellent facilitator and gets the best out of people in order to find solutions. The collegiality that we have in Council really is the best it’s been for some years.”

Deputy Mayor Ali Boswijk says she supports Miccio’s bid because of the value in the continuity it would bring to the region.

“On reflection, I believe that to have three different Mayors in three consecutive terms would not be in the best interests of Nelson,” Boswijk says. “Aldo has the best of intentions for the City and has worked hard for all sectors of the Community. He is positive, energetic and receptive to considering new initiatives and ways of working – attributes which I believe are essential given the unsettled economic landscape and changes to the Local Government environment.”

Mayor Miccio is already working hard to develop a healthy, prosperous City over the next 50 years with the Council’s new initiative Framing our Future – Towards Nelson 2060. Miccio has indicated that more detailed plans and initiatives are currently being fine-tuned for announcement over the coming months.

“It’s an honour to be your Mayor, and I’m asking for your vote. We’re not there yet, and the last thing we should do is lose momentum. The ball’s in your court Nelson,” Miccio says.

For further information go to www.miccio4mayor.co.nz

ENDS

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