Received from Russell Garbutt
Tue, 14 Mar 2017 at 12:47 p.m.
Extremely sad to learn this morning that Maggie Lawton died yesterday at Wanaka following a diagnosis of cancer a short time ago.
Maggie was the top polling candidate in the Dunstan Ward for the Otago Regional Council in the last Local Body Elections and she brought to the role a huge passion for the quality of our region’s waterways and lakes. Extraordinarily well qualified and a vast experience in all things water, her death will mean a huge loss in the Central Otago/Lakes area as well as a strong voice for the wider region. Just a few days ago we were emailing each other and she had said that she was amazed how cancer is both so random and so rampant.
Sincere condolences to her family, friends and colleagues.
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Otago Regional Council
ORC mourns Cr Lawton’s untimely passing
Tuesday, 14 March 2017
Otago Regional Council chairman Stephen Woodhead today noted with sorrow the passing of Dunstan constituency representative Maggie Lawton on Sunday after a brief but determined battle with cancer.
Mr Woodhead said Cr Lawton, who was elected to the council as the constituency’s top-polling candidate at last year’s local government elections, was passionate about environmental issues and the region she served, and particularly water quality.
As chairwoman of the council’s technical committee, her contribution, while brief, was an indication of the time and effort she intended to put into her role as an elected member during the remainder of the 2016-2019 triennium, he said.
“All of us at ORC mourn Maggie’s untimely passing, and extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends.”
ORC Link
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At Facebook:
Tue, 14 Mar 2017
ODT: ORC pays tribute to late councillorThe Otago Regional Council is mourning and paying tribute to one of its own, following the death of Dunstan constituency representative Maggie Lawton. The Wanaka-based councillor was diagnosed with cancer about two months ago, after it was discovered during an operation, and died yesterday. She was 67 …. Cr Lawton told the Otago Daily Times last week she was determined to make sure the concerns of her constituents were still heard at the council and was receiving treatment at home, but still taking part in council business.
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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr
This post is offered in the public interest.
At Facebook:
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Wed, 15 Mar 2017
ODT: Environmental advocate to the end
By Tim Miller
….Daughter and Queenstown Lakes district councillor Ella Lawton said her mother was still working on council issues late last week while being cared for at the Upper Clutha Hospice room in the Aspiring Enliven Centre. She had planned to take part in a council meeting held yesterday. “I was planning on helping her phone conference into the council meeting today. She wanted to work right through to the end.” Ella Lawton said her family appreciated all the words and thoughts people had sent them during her mother’s illness and since her death on Monday. Cont/
We could do with more of those passionate hard workers devoted to representing their constituencies. Too many dreamers, seat warmers and bullshit-blinded spenders of OPM.
At Facebook:
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Mon, 27 Mar 2017
ODT: Councillor to follow in late mother’s footsteps
Queenstown Lake District Councillor Ella Lawton has announced she will stand for the Otago Regional Council seat left vacant by the death of her mother Maggie Lawton earlier this month. Cr Lawton said she decided to stand seat because she was passionate about the future health of the environment and felt her skills which she had used during her almost four years on the district council would transfer to the regional council. Cont/
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Updated: https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/wanaka/daughter-eyes-her-mothers-orc-seat
I really do hope that the people of Central Otago in particular get behind the nomination of Ella Lawton in her bid to win the seat on the ORC made vacant by the death of her talented and inspirational mother, Maggie.
Ella has the fire and passion necessary to make a difference.
At Facebook:
If Ella Lawton wins her mother’s seat and can work with Michael Laws then we might see some changes of direction in the ORC’s methods. Anything to get the momentum out of its jaded position can’t be bad.