Mayor and Sports Centre polling in today's Dom Post.

The poll in today's Dominion Post makes very interesting reading. The mayoral contest appearing to be closer than many people expected, so please - if you haven't yet voted, make sure you do so. Papers have to be with the council by noon next Saturday 9 October, and the recommended last day for posting is this coming Wednesday. If you miss that post, you can still hand-deliver your vote right up until Saturday morning.

Given the number of undecided voters and the margin of error, the poll's 33% to Kerry against 25% to Celia means that the race is still wide open. As I said at the Miramar candidates' meeting a couple of weeks ago I'm supporting Celia, and I hope that you will too - but whoever you support, please vote.

The only other polling is about the Indoor Community Sports Centre on Cobham  Drive, with 45% opposed to the project and 34% supporting it (22% neutral or undecided). If you haven't already voted, when you do please remember that only one Eastern Ward candidate has stood up against the effects of that project on the community - me. I took the council to court (not an experience I recommend) and got significant concessions towards reducing the traffic effects - but it will still be an issue.

When questioned at the Evans Bay candidates' meeting about ICSC traffic, the mayor proudly pointed out the improved walking, cycling and public bus facilities incorporated in the project - but she forgot to mention that the only reason that those facilities will be there is because the Environment Court told them to, as a result of my appeal.

I'm all in favour of sport, and of projects that are fully thought through with all the consequences considered, but that didn't happen in the single-minded rush to get the ICSC approved. Not only were the effects on the local community largely ignored but other sports have suffered, with little money left over for such things as artificial turf pitches.

So if you want a councillor with a proven record of standing up for the community, and a council that thinks things through properly, put 1 against Mellor.