Lance Perry
Age: 72
Occupation: Retired mechanical engineer
Marital status: Married
Affiliations: Independent
Standing for: Councillor and mayor
1. Your relationship with councillors has been tested due to your role as a council watchdog and a number of run-ins, including one that resulted in an AVO being taken out against you. How will you be able to effectively work with some of these councillors?
All of my questions and everything I have ever asked of council has been based on performance; it has never, ever been based on them personally. Some councillors have taken it personally because they really don’t understand the difference. I really don’t have any personal problem with anyone up there.
2. Your critics would argue the Griffith Community Development Council has struggled to both attract members and be an effective watchdog group. What makes you think you’ll be able to be more effective in an arguably more difficult role?
The hard questions I’ve been putting to council won’t stop, but they may be a little more informed as I learn more about the inside workings of council. The GCDC has got the membership required – we don’t need 50 or more people to be functional.
3. Your style is seen as uncompromising and direct. How will you change your style to adapt to a team environment?
My style has always been a team effort, it’s just that I was always the one putting questions to council. I had a team behind me supporting the questions and supporting the style I put them forward in.
4. You’ve been deeply critical about the way council operates. How are you going to improve that culture?
First of all I want to connect council with the community because I believe at this point they are not connected. If that happens, most of the problems just won’t be there.
5. Why do you think you’re the best person to lead the city as mayor?
Simply because I’m open to ideas. I will recognise problems and address them rather than hoping they go away. I have had an association with local government since 1978 in an outside role, so I’m not lacking in knowledge on protocol and the way councils work. I read all the updates on changes in policy and I’ve attended hundreds of council meetings.