YOUTH versus experience at the Uralla Shire Council by-election.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Charlotte Field-Sampson and Tom O’Connor will go head-to-head for the Ward A position, after councillor Kevin Ward resigned due to ill health.
Rookie Ms Field-Sampson acknowledges she has little experience compared to the council’s former general manager Tom O’Connor.
“The main thing I want to do is listen to the community and do what they want but personally introduce soft-plastic recycling at the Uralla tip,” she said.
“I think my age is the big thing and I’m a woman – for me to be in it means equal representation.
“I have many years to build up experience and hopefully a long career if I’m elected.”
She hopes to use the soft-plastic recycling as an income stream for the council by opening it to neighbouring towns.
Local governance runs in Ms Field-Sampson’s blood, her mother Daphne Field and husband Levi Sampson have both served on Uralla Shire Council.
Ms Field-Sampson is a stay at home mother and has worked with animals, she plans to focus on social and family issues in the community.
While veteran Tom O’Connor has served 35 years as a local government officer in finance and administration.
He was the general manager of the council until 2014, and is deeply concerned by the financial state of the budget.
In October last year, ratepayers faced a 54.5 per cent rate hike, the council’s unrestricted cash reserves will fall into the red by 2020.
“I think there’s some need for intelligent oversight of the budget, particularly the financial plan and the council has deferred any decision on a special rate variation but that has to be looked at,” Mr O’Connor said.
Read also:
Two years ago Mr O’Connor put his hand up for mayor and keeps a keen interest in local government.
If elected he hopes to improve the approval of DA applications and use his skills as a chartered accountant to revisit council’s budget.
“My role will be is to look at what is being proposed and see if it meets the aspirations of the community,” he said.
“I will not be combatant, I will be collaborative and I want to see the staff move forward with the council.”
Residents in Uralla Shire Council’s Ward A will return to the polling booths on Saturday February 16.
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
