A yes man through and through, Mr Galletly is the latest resident to put his hand up for Council.

Owner of Galletly’s Saddlery for a number of years, he said small, specialist business is the way to go.

Just like handmade products, he thinks Council should recognise and implement ideas that will go the distance.

“In the country areas, if you can specialise in something like steel fabrication and it’s a good product – it’s going to last,” he said.

“I think that’s the only way Australia can make stuff, we cannot compete with the Chinese.

“The smaller country towns that manufacture really good quality stuff – there’s still a market for that.”

Mr Galletly said Armidale has been a university town for too long and the focus on industry has been lost.

“We’ve hunted industry away from Armidale a lot,” he said.

“We’ve relied too much on the university in the past and now I don’t know whether the university can be counted on as much as it used to be.

“If we can have trade industries here – that’s money turning over.”

A new face to the council election, Mr Galletly said he doesn’t believe his inexperience will be a problem.

“Council has to be run as a business,” he said.

“I think the politics should be left out of local Council for a start.

“Everyone has had a gut full of hearing what the politicians have to say.”

Transparency, open- mindedness and fiscal responsibility are the most important characteristics of a good Council, according to Mr Galletly.

He believes councillors should speak their minds.

“I talk to people from all walks of life, we have to be totally transparent – speak the truth.

“Say things are what they are and don’t fancy it up or be bloody against something just because it’s not your idea,” he said.

“Simple is the best way to go I think.”

Meet all the candidates: Your guide to the Armidale Regional Council election