Tom O’Connor and Charlotte Field-Sampson are the two independent candidates contesting the Uralla Shire Council’s Ward A byelection to be held from 8am to 6pm on Saturday, February 16,
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Although Mrs Field-Sampson’s application was the first received and so first to be placed in the ballot box, it was the second one drawn out and so was listed last on the ballot paper.
“I don’t think it makes that much difference when there is only two of us,” she said.
ALSO READ:
At 28-years-old Mrs Mrs Field Sampson is the younger candidate and said she hoped to bring another young face to council for the benefit of the community.
“I hope to make the other young families in the community of Uralla feel like they are being properly represented,” she said.
“My husband is on the council as well, and my mum used to be on the council, so I feel like it would be good to pick up her spot, I guess.
“It’s a chance to learn some news skills and I hope I can help the community to grow and stay true to its heritage while it embraces the future and the changes needed in the town.”
As the retired general manager of Uralla Shire Council, 77-year-old Tom O’Connor is not wanting for expertise with 25 years in local government. It is that experience he hopes to offer council following Kevin Ward’s retirement.
“I can bring a fair amount of corporate knowledge back to the council I was general manager of for seven years and director of Corporate and Community Services for four years before that,” Mr O’Connor said.
“It’s not really a battle of the ages, It would really be a matter of experience up against inexperience really.
“Both of us have put our names in and it’s a great honour to be a Councillor.”
Mr O’Connor said he was well-known to the community.
“The community knows my commitment to the community, and we retired here. So, we’re known to love our community and work for our community,” he said.