In nine days, residents in Griffith City Council will be faced with a serious decision to make – who to elect as the city’s 12th councillor.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It might not seem like a big decision, there are 11 other councillors and mayor John Dal Broi’s term as mayor won’t expire until September 2020.
However, the person who is elected as the 12th councillor will hopefully play a role in the city’s progress –either getting it started, or keeping it going, depending on your point of view.
While there are eight candidates, there are two distinct choices – new blood or old hands.
There’s a lot to be said about experience when it comes to local government, knowing what you can and cannot influence is often a challenge for new people.
Candidates like Allan Bennett or Bill Lancaster know the issues and how and where they can start to improve those things.
They have plenty years of experience inside and outside the council and would be a good fit.
On the other hand, there’s around 19 months until the next general council election in September 2020.
Many first-term councillors say they don’t really get up to speed until they have at least two years in the job.
At the same time, many people in the community are advocating and believe change is necessary for the city to move forward.
So here’s where the opportunity lies for voters and ratepayers – this 12th councillor could effectively have an opportunity to learn.
Come the September 2020 election, voters can make proper, wholesale change by sweeping what some call “dead wood” from Benerembah Street.
However, while significant change is vital at times, an elected council still needs some people who know what they’re doing so they can as a group achieve the goals the community expects.
There are six candidates who are asking for the chance to have an impact – Greg Adamson, Maree Croxon, Mohannad Suleiman, Glen Andreazza, Damien Marcus and Roly Zappacosta.
Whoever you choose to vote for, or against, it’s important that you cast your vote with the future of Griffith in mind.
This vote isn’t going to have dramatic impacts but it will be the stepping stone to creating a better future for our community.
WANT MORE GRIFFITH NEWS?
Get the headlines delivered by email every Monday morning: sign up here.
