Nelson city councillor and mayoral candidate Pete Rainey has hit back at claims that the company he co-owns, Rage Noise, has benefited from council contracts – saying its nothing but a “dirty tricks” campaign to derail his mayoral bid.
In a trail of emails being circulated by members of public, including candidates for this year’s council elections, it has been claimed that Rainey has failed to declare his interests in the business to council.
Rainey says council staff revealed to him that deputy mayor Paul Matheson requested information on Rainey’s business dealings with council, which has now found its way into the public arena.
But Rainey says he has nothing to hide, labelling the claims as both “ignorant and outrageous.”
“The stated earnings by Rage Noise include its role as a council supplier for sound equipment for four years before my company bought the assets of Rage Noise in 2014,” he says.
Rainey says prior to that he had no interest in Rage Noise, and from the time his company took over he has at “all times” declared his interest at council and withdrawn from any relevant discussions.
“That is on the public record and I would be happy for the council chief executive to release the relevant approvals from the Auditor General,” he says.
“From my discussion with the council chief executive I understand the mayor and deputy mayor were party to the information about Rage Noise that has been released. I challenge both of them to clarify their role, if any, in the release of incorrect information to the public.”
But both Mayor Rachel Reese and deputy mayor Paul Matheson say they had nothing to do with the emails. Reese says that she was “categorically” not party to any release of information in relation to Cr Rainey that is related to his business interests or any other matter. “If that is what Cr Rainey is insinuating then he is very wrong.”
Matheson told nelsonlive.co.nz, “I don’t comment on councillors’ personal business”.
Rainey says the purchase of Rage Noise was a “rescue” to keep its sound gear in Nelson and to prevent the events sector from having to hire out of town gear at prohibitive rates.
The company has a strong community focus, often providing equipment for little or no cost in support of community events.
“I’m not naïve – I know I have ‘haters’ in this town and its one of the reasons I keep my business dealings with council absolutely squeaky clean,” says Rainey.
“I believe that Nelsonians want a mayor who actually contributes to the city. That’s why it is frustrating and disappointing for me to be subjected to an ugly smear campaign.”
The deputy mayor was unavailable for comment this morning.
