MAYOR Toby Smith’s announcement that he will not run again for council at the September local government elections is a reminder that we are only, at most, two months away from that date.
There has been a lot of focus on council since the flooding in early 2011, and quite a bit of discontent from the community over a wide range of issues.
The public gallery at council meetings has hosted many new faces over the past 18 months.
In short, there has been a high level of interest in council and council decisions.
Now is the time to say that if you are not happy, think about taking a shot at it yourself.
It would be a huge pity to see the situation of the last local government elections repeated where councillors were elected without a single vote due to a lack of competition.
The shire’s council should be a healthy and vocal representation from across the board - businesspeople, farmers, and people from other walks of life.
Councillors’ voices are our voices. These are the people who make many decisions that impact on all of us.
We should have enough choice on election day that we feel confident in voting for a person we believe has our interests at heart, and will fight for them honestly and with integrity.
We should look forward to healthy, but productive, debate in the council chambers.
We should expect decisions that are sometimes brave, but alway made with the benefit of our community in mind.
It is not an easy job and, for the hours involved, not a particularly well-paid job.
If this is for you, put your hand up.
A candidate information session will be held by the NSW Electoral Commission and Division of Local Government on Thursday, July 12 from 5pm to 8pm at the RSL Pavilion at the back of Soldiers Memorial Hall.