A scratchy attendance record at council meetings has earned Wanganui district councillor Jack Bullock the sternest of rebukes from some of his colleagues.
Mr Bullock has been a frequent "no show" at meetings and workshops but has nearly always tendered an apology.
At the start of the council's monthly meeting last Tuesday, apologies were received from Mr Bullock and councillor Ray Stevens.
While Mr Stevens' was accepted, five councillors - Philippa Baker-Hogan, Jenny Duncan, Helen Craig, Rob Vinsen and Rangi Willis - voted not to accept Mr Bullock's apology, while Sue Westwood abstained.
Those supporting his apology were mayor Annette Main, Martin Visser, Hamish McDouall and Jason Granville, meaning the apology was rejected.
The Chronicle is unaware of any previous instance when a councillor's apology has not been accepted.
Later Mrs Baker-Hogan told the Chronicle those councillors rejecting Mr Bullock's apology were taking a major step.
"But it reflects a strong and growing concern and disdain of councillor Bullock's poor attendanceat council," she said.
"Frankly, his council meeting and workshop attendance is appalling,but I'm pretty confident his attendance at his other paid job is a lot better."
She said getting voted on to council should not be a popularitycontest but rather reflecta strong work ethic and commitment to contribute to Wanganui's future.
"As the only councillor I'm aware of that has commented he has his eyes on the mayoralty, I'd suggest attending council meetings is a damn good start.
"I think the ratepayers have been pretty lenient over councillor Bullock's personal issues, some that might reflect the challenges our youth face. But his apprenticeship is well and truly over and it's time to front up or think on," Mrs Baker-Hogan said.
But Mr Bullock did show up on Wednesday and, as that was deemed to be a continuation of the full council meeting, his original apology was then unnecessary.
Standing orders say unless a councillor has been granted leave of absence, then an apology needs to be offered and that can either be accepted or declined by the meeting.
Accepting the apology is regarded as giving a leave of absence for that particular meeting. If a councillor is absent without leave for four consecutive meetings, they lose their seat. Since the start of this year, Mr Bullock has fashioned the worst attendance record of any on the council. From a total of 22 council meetings and 10-year plan meetings, he has missed 11 of them, putting in eight apologies and simply being a no-show for three others (on March 9, May 19 and July 29).
The closest to that record of absenteeism are Jason Granville (5 absences), Ray Stevens (4) and Charlie Anderson (3).
-The Chronicle last week asked Mr Bullock for his comment. He claimed there was some discrepancy with the council records and asked for time to get information together.
He had not responded by press time yesterday.