Thames-Coromandel District Mayor Len Salt is adamant he is still fit to lead, despite a spate of health issues which have left him confined to a wheelchair as he awaits surgery.
Mayor Salt posted a message on social media on July 27 thanking Thames and Waikato hospitals for care he received during a “cycle” of inpatient visits between July 1 and 20.
“The last few weeks have been particularly challenging for me with a couple of niggling health issues getting bad enough to land me in hospital more than once,” he said.
“At the core of these issues seems to be a combination of hip and spinal issues, some of them historical. I have undergone a series of MRI and CT scans as well as the usual x-ray and blood tests. I am happy to say that overall I’m feeling much improved. There is still more work to do and discussions with the orthopaedic specialists which will happen over the next few weeks.”
The Mayor told The Profile he now needed to use a wheelchair at work, although he could still walk short distances.
“I’m on a list to be seen and to get some surgery, but it’s not a fast list.
“It’s going to limit me for a little while… If I’m out and about and looking at things on site, there’s going to be some areas where I’ve just got to be careful about whether I can access the site or not,” he said.
“But I’ve got teams of people around me who are really ready, willing and able to help.”
Accessibility accommodations, such as a closer carpark, are already being made for Mayor Salt at the council building in Thames.
“There’s no getting away from the fact that I might be partially disabled, but that is purely an access and mobility issue,” he said.
Mayor Salt also confirmed his intention to run for re-election later this year, and he said the community could be “absolutely confident” in his ability to perform the role.
“I won’t be the first partially disabled mayor or politician around, but it’s a good exercise for a council in particular and for a community, in how to work in that disability space,” he said.
“The knowledge that I have built up and the experience over the term and the projects that I’m working on with my team that are partway through will continue and they’ll be beneficial to the council in ways that I’m really excited about.”
Mayor Salt’s duties were delegated to Deputy Mayor Terry Walker during his absence.
“I can’t thank Terry enough for his assistance during this period. This has ensured smooth and seamless continuation of council activities and the duties of the office of the Mayor.”
The Mayor also thanked his wife, Svargo, and close friend and campaign manager Anna Dunwoodie.
“It’s been tough on them. But I can’t say enough about how much they’ve helped and supported me through this.”
