David Stibbard
DAVID Stibbard wants Singleton’s forthcoming local government election abandoned and an administrator appointed for the next two or three years.
Mr Stibbard has already put pen to paper to the Minister for Local Government Don Page, and he is not alone.
He was among those in the council gallery on Monday night and witnessed what many described as the saddest of council meetings.
“I was there for about three hours and I believe only one item of real business was addressed, I left in disgust,” Mr Stibbard said.
In his letter to Mr Page, Mr Stibbard wrote: “The elected representatives have become less and less effective over the past eight years with most of their meeting time taken up with infighting and political point scoring.”
Mr Stibbard has asked Mr Page to investigate postponing the forthcoming Singleton election for the good of the community.
“I suspect very few people would consider standing where there is a prospect of trying to work with the current councillors,” Mr Stibbard said.
“Having an administrator in place for a cooling off period would allow people with merit and skill and a desire to work cooperatively for Singleton’s progress to consider standing for election,” Mr Stibbard said.
At the core of hostilities at Monday’s council meeting was a no confidence motion against mayor Sue Moore.
Cr Alison Howlett put the motion forward in response to a column written by Cr Moore in The Singleton Argus.
Cr Moore’s column related to a council decision which she didn’t support and was the only councillor to do so. Cr Moore wrote that ratepayers should be furious with the decision other councillors had made.
Local government elections will be held across New South Wales on September 8.
Cr Moore has indicated her intention to recontest the mayoral position. Councillors Tony McNamara, Fred Harvison and John Martin have also announced an intention to stand.
Councillors Howlett, Paul Nichols and Maxine Smith won’t be contesting the election.
Councillor numbers will be reduced from 12 to 10 (including the mayor), voters will have an opportunity to vote for their preferred mayor and council wards have been abolished as a result of a 2010 referendum.
As no-one new has indicated an interest, that means, if the election goes ahead, existing councillors are likely to be returned.
A by-election would be held at a later date to fill any vacant positions.