Well done, Andi!
The last two editions of Rye News (November 9 and 16) contained an update of the hard work and effort being undertaken for our town by the Mayor, Cllr Andi Rivett.
Andi is one of the most selfless hard-working incumbents of that position that Rye has had for a very long time. He seems to devote significant amounts of his own personal time and energy in working to support and promote the town. I’m not aware that he does this for any other reason than he sees his position as mayor of Rye a great privilege and honour. He really does seem to be a politician who genuinely cares and wants to give back to the local community he has been elected to serve.
I understand that it has been custom in recent times for the mayor to serve two years in office as determined by the other town councillors. By my reckoning, this means Andi must step back from his mayoral duties next May.
If he were to step down in May, I’m sure the many charities and local organisations that he works so tirelessly to support, plus the town itself will significantly miss his enthusiasm and dedication.
How can we persuade our town councillors to keep Andi in post as mayor for at least another year (assuming he wishes to do so)?
Image Credits: Caroline Everett .
What a good idea. I would support it.
I hope the Town Councillors will all be encouraging Andi to stay on for another term.
Ryers are so very lucky to have his loyal support and forward looking initiatives for the best future for Rye.
It would be wonderful to have Andi for another year – he has been so good for this town, building on the work of Councillor Gilbert before him. What a shame her time as mayor was so badly affected by the pandemic.
I hope the town councillors read this and, as long as Andi is willing, elect him as mayor for another year.
Hear, hear. Andy is a great bloke and very, very good for Rye.
We have seen Mayor Rivett do so much for Rye, and he has been a good ambassador for the town. He championed getting the swimming pool back open, which was a great success, has generously sponsored Christmas events, not to mention getting the Christmas lights up, and is always out and about mending things, helping out and being a big part of the community – hear hear for a third year.
I have nothing but admiration for what Andi has done during his time in office as Mayor but surely he can continue to do so even if he’s not given a third term.
Couldn’t a position be created for him to be co-opted as an unelected ambassador for the town.
Of course he’s also going to be a hard act to follow, he’s set the bar high for his successor and everything they do will be compared to what he’s done.
Finally, has anyone asked him if he wants to do a third term, maybe he’d like a break?
Good luck to him whatever he does.
I would like to endorse everything Paul Oxley says about our Mayor. Andi Rivett has been a great example of leadership and service. I remember the kindly warm welcome he gave to the “Ukrainian “guests” at the first social get- together organised for them when they arrived here. It set the right tone straight away. He is a great ambassador for Rye and many of us hope he can do another year.
I agree with the previous writers. If I was still a councillor I would vote to give Andi a third term.
He gives his time to so many charities, events that are never reported on. We would not have any Christmas Lights if it was not for him.
Perhaps we should also think about giving Rebekah Gilbert another year as Covid so impacted her time as Mayor.
Yes, I would definitely agree that Rebekah Gilbert should have another year or even two, at some point. Despite the pandemic halting everything, she managed to pack in an enormous amount of effort, not least with her charitable efforts.
When I first moved to Rye, I first met Andi on my birthday, which happens to be the same day as mine. Eventually realising he was Mayor of Rye, I noticed the many things he does for the greater benefit of the town. Once he even jumped up on a wall opposite the Waterworks pub & fixed a street sign that was hanging down loosely, he really does care very much about Rye for sure.
Now knowing him a lot better, I think he is one of the most honest, genuine and very spiffingly Great people I have ever come across in life.
He would definitely be a great benefit to Rye for another year as Mayor without a doubt.
Maybe if Andi is not granted a 3rd term as mayor, or decides against it, surely he should be made a Freeman of the town, because nobody else has worked as hard and tirelessly as him in this town, for the benefits of others.
100% fully endorse Mayor Andi Rivett giving the wonderful people of Rye a third year of his devotion and support! He is visible, hard-working, and friendly – if he’s happy to do a 3rd year then many many residents in this town, I’m sure, would be happy to have him! Come on counsellors, if the comments on here are anything to go by, the town would love another year of Andi!
I agree with the idea of a third term and the honour of Freeman of the town
I too agree with the previous writers. If I was still a councillor I would definitely vote to give Andi a third term. His tireless efforts and his welcoming ways gives a lot of support to Rye, its businesses, locals and visitors alike.
I believe so many councillors, up and down the country, are there for themselves whereas Andi puts all his effort into Rye and its wellbeing. There is not a lot of people out there like Andi, Rye is lucky to have him and a wholeheartedly support the idea of a third term. I would also like to say why not longer?
Prime Minister’s, Chairperson’s and Managing Director’s stay far longer in office if they are doing a good job and only leave when voted out. So, why not longer?
I agree he is tireless in everything he does for Rye if he can’t get support he does it himself for no reason other than he cares about Rye and its people. If he can’t stand for Mayor another year I’m sure he will still be there in anyway possible to help the new mayor and still do all he can to help the people as you all know he is a man off many talents .Yes Andi for Mayor
Andi, has been an excellent Mayor for Rye and I hope he continues for another term. No other mayor has done as much for the Town as him.
What an amazing ambassador for Rye town whatever Andi decides to do if the councillors let him be reelected he will be a hard act to follow good luck Andi what ever happens. I’m sure you’ll still be a big part of this town
Yes Andi has been a very enthusiastic Mayor of Rye with Rebekah who has already done two years of Mayor with Andi ..
Let us give them their well deserved rest from all those particular responsibilities.
They may like to have more time for their own employment responsibilities and recreation. As they have been so highly thought of they deserve time to recuperate from the extra duties.. we wouldn’t want them to be forced to retire for health reasons.
And I am sure the next person in line for being Mayor will fulfil the role in their own way but with equal dedication and love and loyalty to Rye..
Andi Rivett is a doer. He simply gets things done. Selfless and down to earth approach to life and pretty much everything else. Pleasure to know the man. There are, I know that a third term would enable completion of projects already in motion. Vote for Andi’s third term.
I agree Andi has done excellent work for the town let’s hope it can continue for another year.
Andi is a doer, a man of the people. So keen to achieve things for the community and very generous with his time. I’m hoping he gets a third term.
I definitely would back Andi in a 3rd year as Mayor. As far as I can see he goes above and beyond to make Rye a great place to live. He really cares about people and Rye. Most recently it is down to Andi that we have Christmas lights up again this year, and I love his Xmas tree creation on Strand Quay. Andi goes that extra mile and gives up a lot of his free time. Why can’t the people vote ?
Yes I agree we should be backing Andi for a third term.
The answer to Susan Hassall’s question can be found here:
https://www.ryenews.org.uk/news/who-will-lead-rye-into-the-future