That is the message Edward River Council election candidate Donna Taylor wants to impress on anyone still deciding whether to stand for the September 14 local government elections.
Nominations for the election close on August 14, and at the time of going to print yesterday the Pastoral Times was only aware of eight potential candidates to fill nine seats on council.
Expected to join Ms Taylor on the ballot are Shirlee Burge, Linda Fawns, David ‘Baron’ Schoeffel and Frank Schofield, who have all formally registered as a candidate with the NSW Electoral Commission.
Shannon Sampson and Collin Sander have also previously told the Pastoral Times they intend to stand, and announcing her candidacy to the Pastoral Times this week was Leanne Mulham.
Formal nominations opened on Monday, but as yet none have been processed by the NSW Electoral Commission and published publicly.
Ms Taylor is a local tourism business owner and was the former executive officer of the Deniliquin Business Chamber.
Her professional background is in public relations and communications, which is an area she would like to build on if elected to council.
She said she’d also like to see a more collaborative council than we’ve seen in the past few years.
“There has been a bit of fraction in council - and I understand everyone is passionate - but what I want to see is greater cooperation,” she said.
“The more a council can work together, the better it will be for the community.
“I would also like to see greater transparency in communication. With a background in public relations, it’s something I am very passionate about.
“My focus would be community, collaboration and consideration - and that is consideration of other people’s view points, matters I may not be aware of and differences. It is okay to have differences and to disagree, but we still need to respect each other.
“I see the role of a councillor as a public servant - to be here for the community.”
Ms Taylor said her previous and existing roles would tie in well with some of the overarching aims and delegations of a council.
“Through my background working with New South Wales Health, the energy sector and then in irrigation - which is what brought me to Deniliquin - I have a good understanding of policies in those areas.
“I have also worked in government relations and understand the bureaucracy. We might not always like it, but I understand it has a place and a purpose.
“As my partner is in law enforcement, I have also been given a greater insight into societal issues, and how it can be linked with health.
“Our local health committees do a really great job, but my background and those insights lend themselves well to allow me to advocate for better services for the community.
“There is so much potential here in Deniliquin and through my own business I have also been thinking a lot about how we can bring businesses to town and how the tourism sector could work together more collaboratively.”
3°C