Three outgoing Edward River councillors - Shirlee Burge, Shannon Sampson and Linda Fawns - have confirmed they will be standing again in the local government elections this September.
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Mayor Peta Betts says she is still undecided, and she is “waiting, and hoping, for a positive response from the Minister to appoint an advisor which will influence my final decision”.
“There is still so much to be achieved. I hope that the new council picks up and continues the hard work of those councillors who have had the courage and foresight to finally stop kicking the can down the road and put some really positive steps in place to grow this amazing community,” she said.
Long-time councillor Pat Fogarty has confirmed she will not be seeking re-election due to personal circumstances.
The Pastoral Times did not receive any response from councillors Harold Clapham, Tarria Moore and Marc Petersen.
Mrs Burge said she did consider her future in local government carefully before deciding on nominating for September.
“I did deliberate about standing as I felt disillusioned and disturbed by the unfortunate situation I and many others perceived ERC to be in,” she said.
“The fighter in me has since decided that this is not an issue to walk away from but rather a challenge to make a concerted effort to change what, by all standards, is as dysfunctional as it is perceived.
“ERC needs a shake up and a redistribution of ideals, personalities and factions.
“I feel very excited by the potential future prospects of this council.
“We now have exceptionally good administrative leadership in CEO Gary Arnold and his team, which is still evolving.
“We appear to have excellent talent in many areas and, in the short time this CEO has been at the helm I have noticed a surge in confidence from everyone.
“We have a sense of purpose and direction that I believe had been sorely lacking in many areas including my own.
“I urge anyone to step forward who has not liked what they have witnessed in the past few years and take up the challenge to form a vibrant new think tank whose aim is to put their community first above all else.”
Mr Sampson said his intention is to nominate for the election “even though this term has been a challenge”.
“I feel, and talking to councillors and mayors from other areas who have expressed the same sentiment, that a lot of the first term is learning the processes and learning the ropes.
“Like I said during the last election process, I want to have input in shaping the area into a place where my kids don't have to leave when it doesn't rain, like I did.
“Instead (they should have) other employment opportunities when sectors like agriculture are going through a slow patch.
“As a farm kid at heart, I still like to think I have a lot to give to the villages and areas in between that can be overlooked from time to time.”
Also acknowledging the challenges of this term, Mrs Fawns said she has also found being a councillor a rewarding experience.
And she says she’s not done working for the betterment of the community yet.
“I have valued my time representing the community on the Edward River Council, a role that has challenged me many times, but deepened my understanding of local government affairs.
“This experience has significantly increased my appreciation for the important role of the council and its governance as the closest form of government to our community.
“Despite the challenges faced by our councillor group, we have accomplished a substantial amount in our brief term of two years and nine months.
“I wish to extend my sincere thanks to the community for their incredible support and commend our dedicated staff at ERC for their tireless efforts, often in challenging circumstances.”
Mrs Fogarty said she has decided not to seek re-election because she feels it is time to “focus my energies inwards”.
She said this is partly because of the medical challenges both she and her husband Richard have faced, and continue to face.
Before departing the role, Mrs Fogarty outlined what she would like to see achieved in the next term of council.
“The main goals I would like to see achieved for our future is a positive outcome and innovative approach for Edward River Village.
“(We need) an industrious, positive and future focussed council group with strong financial and business acumen who are driven by a desire of openness and willingness to provide good outcomes for the community.
“We also need refinement to the current Growth Strategy that was initially developed in partnership with Robbie Sefton and the community in determining our best approach to progress forward.”
• More election coverage will be included in coming editions. Prospective candidates are invited to contact Zoe McMaugh by calling 5881 2322 or emailing zoe.mcmaugh@denipt.com.au.
Senior journalist