Medowie businessman Desmond Maslen will head up Labor’s election hopes at the September local government election.
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“Our team is ready to stand up and offer a different vision for Port Stephens – one that has fairness, prosperity, openness and transparency at its core,” Mr Maslen said.
“For too long, ratepayers in Port Stephens have been taken for granted. If elected, our team will bring about positive change and will actually listen to the community and be a voice for the community.”
Mr Maslen first announced he wished to run for council in October 2015, as an independent.
On Friday, he was named among nine people Labor had selected at branch level to represent the party at the election.
For the West ward the candidates are (in order of ticket) Giacomo Arnott, Bobbie Antonic, and Vicki McLaughlin.
In the East the candidates are David Simm, Roz Armstrong, and Jim Morrison.
And for Central it is Mr Maslen, Melissa Pond, and Peter McKenna.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge of being the alternative to the current mayor, and delivering to our community a better, fairer, and more transparent council,” Mr Maslen said.
Mr Arnott, a university student and staffer for Paterson MP Meryl Swanson, said the Labor ticket offered change.
“I've lived and worked in Raymond Terrace my whole life, and understand the needs of my community,” he said.
“There are so many opportunities that have been missed by our current councilllors.”
Mr Arnott, also a retained fire fighter, said the council had for too long put the interests of people last.
“Grassroots consultation has been lacking for years, and the voice of the people deserves to be heard,” he said.
“The current councillors are out of touch and we will fix this problem.”
David Simm said he wanted to be the voice of change.
“The upcoming council elections are an incredible opportunity for the people of Port Stephens to finally have their voices heard after nearly five years of neglect and arrogance by the Mayor and his voting bloc,” he said.
“It’s important that a community voice is present for the huge decisions that are being made in the east end of Port Stephens, and I will be that community voice.”
Mr Maslen announced in October 2015 that he intended to run for council.
‘‘About nine months ago I attended my first council meeting and after having seen first hand the tactics of certain councillors I decided right there and then that I had to do something,” he said.
‘‘I have 18 years’ experience working in the security business and there is nothing more I hate than bullying ... my whole life even as a school kid I would be the one people turn to if someone was being picked on.’’