Age: 68

Occupation: Viticulturalist

Marital status: Married

Affiliations: Leon Thorpe

Standing for: Mayor and councillor

1. You were in public office for 35 years including 16 as mayor and are now making a John Farnham-style comeback. Haven’t you had your chance to make a mark on this city?

To be mayor you have to be strong and assertive but in all of my time as mayor the issue was that you would be voted in by your peers every 12 months. So when you make a tough decision, you look around at the people you have upset and think they won’t vote for you in September. That’s one of the positive aspects of a popularly-elected mayor. In four years’ time, I want to see Griffith return to one of the fastest-growing councils in NSW, which we were in the ’90s.

2. Your relationship with some candidates, including mayor Mike Neville and Cr Dino Zappacosta is on bad terms. Bearing in mind council has to work as a team, how are you going to work together with those tensions?

I don’t have an issue with that. Over the years, I have worked with many councillors whose ideologies I didn’t agree with. The most important thing is putting your personal issues aside and working for the betterment of local government in Griffith.

3. The mayor has questioned your financial credibility following the collapse of Dal Broi Wines. Do you think you have the financial nous to lead the city?

Absolutely. My son and I operate and work 1200 acres of vineyards. We are meeting our commitments to the banks and we work hard. I have been around long enough to understand finances. In my time, council was never in the position financially that it finds itself in at the moment and if people suggest I don’t have the experience, they’re horribly wrong.

4. Throughout this campaign, you have appeared to be politically and ideologically aligned with the Griffith Business Chamber. Are you running as a chamber puppet to push their agenda?

Definitely not. In my term in local government, I always supported economic development. I support what the chamber is trying to do in motivating business and activity in Griffith. We have to promote ourselves to neighbouring towns and put our energy into getting people to shop and spend in Griffith.

5. Few would argue you are one of the most experienced and qualified candidates contesting the election. What will be your immediate priorities if elected as mayor?

My first priority would be looking at council’s financials and our unsealed gravel roads need attention. While all present councillors have denied there are factions at council, I know they’re always there and I will manage them. The way to handle it is the mayor should not belong to a faction. He has to be independent and treat everyone equally. When the mayor uses his deliberate vote and casting vote to support a faction, that’s a bad situation.