Recidivist drink driver, Elvis impersonator and Dunedin City Councillor Bill Acklin has announced that he will not seek re-election when the city votes for its council in November. Cr. Acklin, whose business dealings have previously left him owing $190,000 to the Inland Revenue Department, told the ODT he had chosen to put his three children and new partner before his civic role. He also confirmed that a “turbulent private life, at times played out in public,” was influential in his decision.
“Eventually, you sort of think ‘well, how difficult do I want to make my life?’” Acklin told the ODT.
Acklin, now in his third term as a Councillor for the Central Ward, is one of seven incumbent councillors who voted for the controversial Forsyth Barr stadium, which cost the Council $162.7 million, has left the city with more than $144 million of additional debt, and continues to cost ratepayers $9.1 million annually to operate. Crs. Paul Hudson, John Bezett and Andrew Noone, who voted for the stadium spend, have confirmed that they will stand for re-election in November.
Despite the massive stadium bill, Cr. Acklin told the ODT that he felt the covered sports pitch was providing Dunedin with economic benefits, and was “a huge statement that this city is going forward.” Acklin also criticised the $47 million cycle network which the DCC and New Zealand Transport Association are set to fund over the coming years, calling it a “pet project” of “a handful of people.”
Acklin says he will continue to manage Bill Acklin Entertainments and work for Energy Saving Centre, a company that may benefit from the passage of a local bill setting minimum insulation standards for rental properties.
Acklin would not rule out a future bid for council or mayor.
Acklin Calls It Quits After Nine Illustrious Years
