OPINION: Who will be Mayor? Opinion by News Of The Area - Modern Media - August 13, 2021 DEAR News Of The Area, THERE are some interesting candidates lining up for the position of mayor, some familiar faces and some not so familiar. The hype on Facebook is ramping up, and greasing the squeakiest wheel will be a temptation to many who have neither the time nor the inclination to look carefully at proposed policies. Here are a few questions to ask: 1. Does the candidate live in Coffs Harbour? 2. Does the candidate have a record of public service? 3. Will the candidate be able to cope with negative media, for example Facebook without resorting to litigation which has the effect of silencing critics? 4. Can we be sure there is no financial or business advantage to be had in seeking office? 5. Can we be sure the candidate is not running for a particular political party? If we answer no or not sure to any of these questions it’s probably best to make some enquiries before casting our vote. Regards, Margaret ENGLAND, Korora.
Hi Margaret, as a mayoral candidate I’m happy to reply. 1. Does the candidate live in Coffs Harbour? I have called Coffs Harbour home since 1994 and have raised three children here 2. Does the candidate have a record of public service? I have never been in politics before however I have worked for a government organisation (Department of Community Services ‘DoCS) 3. Will the candidate be able to cope with negative media, for example Facebook without resorting to litigation which has the effect of silencing critics? I know I wear my heart on my sleeve however I believe I am very thick skinned when it comes to negative media. I believe negative media is symptomatic of being in the public eye and you cannot please everyone. 4. Can we be sure there is no financial or business advantage to be had in seeking office? There is no financial or business advantage in my running for council. I have no personal agendas other than to continue to serve and care for our community, as I have done for many years. I do not own any property. 5. Can we be sure the candidate is not running for a particular political party? I am running as an independent and have no affiliation with any party or group. I am not asking for nor accepting any campaign funds. My campaign will be run on what I can afford to do. As I stated above my priority is the electorate and I will work hard for the entire community Regards Dean Evers Mayoral Candidate for Coffs Harbour 2021 Reply
Answers to the above questions. 1. Do you live in the Coffs Harbour area? Yes, I live at Brooklana, in the Coffs Harbour LGA. 2. Do I have a record of public service? Yes I do, having been a member of the Council’s Strategic Planning Committee, President of the Coffs Harbkur Pony Club and past member of Coffs City Rotary. 3. Will I be able to cope with criticism, including on Facebook, without resorting to litigation? Absolutely, criticism is fine. Telling downright lies in an attempt to personally harm a candidate, should not be tolerated and must always be outside of what is viewed to be acceptable. 4. Being sure there is no financial or business advantage being had in seeking office? Could not agree more. In the current Council we have Councillors who have conducted business with Council during their term, no matter how transparent, I do not agree with that. I have no business interests other than my farm. 5. Can we be sure that the candidate is not running for a political party? Well, I am certainly not. I have never been a member of any political party. I had never met Gurmesh Singh until after I decided to run for Mayor, but I do count Jenny Bonfield who was our Aboriginal and did run for Federal Labor as a friend. I do note that both Labor and the Greens are co testing the election. Reply
