Age: 70
Occupation: Solicitor
Marital Status: Married
Affiliation: Sharing a ticket with Alison Balind
Standing for: Council and mayor
1. Before your first term on council, some people saw you as anti-development and a one-issue candidate. Do you think you have shown this is not the case?
I don’t agree that people saw me as that, certainly no one who knew me personally or professionally. Since I’ve been on council, I have shown my commitment to the town and its development. I would say I’m a supporter of development – the growth of Griffith depends on it.
2. You have been a big supporter of Mike Neville. Why do you think it was acceptable for him to stay on as mayor? If a referendum was held tomorrow, do you think most people would support him as mayor?
I think whether people support him or not will be shown in the election – it’s their opportunity to vote as they see fit. I have supported Michael’s ideas because, in may ways, he thinks along the same lines as I do. But not always. Personally, I take the view of innocent until proven guilty.
3. How do you feel you have performed as a councillor over the past four years? What would you do differently in your second term?
There have been highs and lows throughout the four years. I have a good idea of what I’d like to see in the future; I think council can do better in consulting with the community and I’d like to see a concerted effort toward that. I’d like to see us set up a
community council where delegates from different community groups, services, clubs and associations sit down with councillors once a month to debate proposals that will come before council. Councillors here rely on their contacts and gut feeling which is not enough when the community is so diverse.
4. You are known for scrutinising your council agenda, especially development applications. Do you think this council has been thorough enough in examining reports before making decisions?
I think we can all stand back and criticise in retrospect. The people who are standing for council should take very seriously their role to scrutinise proposals and approve development applications that have merit. Those that haven’t should be sent back to be reviewed. I thought there would be a lot more discussion between councillors on issues but, in fact, we’re like 12 ships in the night in most things.
5. You have spoken about introducing a “duty councillor” roster. What is the concept and do you think it would be supported by the other councillors?
The councillors I’ve spoken to about it have been very supportive. The idea is that someone is rostered on, say, a week at a time and if people want to talk to a councillor, they can contact the one who’s on duty. We could use the baby change centre at Memorial Park as an office.