Dot Holdom, who is seeking re-election to Tweed Council, believes the apparent “low key” nature of the upcoming poll could be masking its real importance.
She also remains, as ever, keen to get on with the job.
“While others concentrate on the election and doing this deal or that, I’ve just kept doing my job as a councillor, even in caretaker mode – my everyday approach.
“Despite the campaign, the life of a councillor keen to keep doing the hard yards goes on as normal. People still need help, questions need answers, decisions need to be made, research and reading still needs to be undertaken.
“I enjoy my work as a councillor. I have spent my time working towards achieving better outcomes, environmentally, socially, and commercially, all dished-up with a good dose of old fashioned good governance. I have been mindful to provide people with reasons to put their trust in council after some of the disappointments and scandal affecting local government in the Tweed in times past.
“I am a stickler for finishing what I start, and I want to go back to council and complete some of the things I have worked on. In this context, there are two very important things on the horizon;
“The NSW State Government’s Green Paper on possible changes to the Planning Act will be a major driver in this state for the next 25 to 30 years. The independent Review of Local Government will also see significant changes locally. Unashamedly, I make clear I want a seat at the table in discussions on these two important areas and how they will affect the Tweed.
“What is proposed is not all bad, far from it. However, if some or all of these changes come about, as a resident, I want to know that the changes are for the better. Particularly, I want to know that everyone’s point of view has been taken into consideration, not just the big players – as may have been the case in the not so distant past.
“Society is constantly changing and we have some big challenges before us. I want to be there effecting good outcomes wherever I can, but I will need help at the ballot box so I can keep doing my job as a Tweed councillor.
“Please remember that a vote for me will be a vote that sticks with me. I will not be passing it on to other Groups or political parties or ungrouped candidates.
“Preferences are a matter for the people of the Tweed to decide in the privacy of the polling booth, not politicians, or aspiring politicians doing deals with each other.”
