When John Dal Broi made his return to council in 2012, it was only supposed to be for one term. However, Griffith’s mayor told The Area News on Tuesday night he was seriously considering running again.
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Councillor Dal Broi will face at least one strong opponent with deputy mayor Doug Curran also set to take a run at the top job.
After eight years on council and three years as deputy mayor, Cr Curran said he believed it was time for fresh blood and fresh ideas for Griffith.
“We need to look to the future, to where we’ll be in 10, 20, 30 years,” Cr Curran said.
“Council has done well but there’s still a lot more work to do.”
After retiring from public office in 2008, Cr Dal Broi made a return to council in 2012. He was re-elected on a platform of financial responsibility and stability.
While council’s balance sheet appeared to be in good shape, one of Cr Dal Broi’s biggest concerns was Griffith’s status as ‘unfit’ for the future.
“I read the (state) government wrong on Fit for the Future,” Cr Dal Broi said.
“I should have pushed for a business case-study with Murrumbidgee shire.”
The Fit for the Future reforms were believed to be the cause of tensions with local member Adrian Piccoli, which Cr Curran said needed to be addressed.
“We need to develop these relationships with state and federal members of parliament so we can get our fair share of funding,” Cr Curran said.
“I don’t believe we’re taking full advantage of our opportunities.”
Cr Curran said cities like Wagga and Albury appeared to receive a lot of state and federal grants and he wondered why Griffith was missing out.
However, Cr Curran said his leadership bid was in no way a criticism of Cr Dal Broi.
“I think John (Dal Broi) and Mike (Neville) were some of Griffith’s best mayors ever, but who is going to lead us into the future?” he asked.
