Five nominees have put their hand up for the role of mayor of Cessnock City Council.
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Current mayor Bob Pynsent is seeking a second term.
Councillors James Ryan (Greens), Rod Doherty (Liberal) and Ian Olsen (Independent) are looking to step up into the top job.
Local hotel owner and dentist John Harvey (Independent) is also running.
JAMES RYAN
Greens candidate
James Ryan has served on council in Ward D since 2004 and has run for mayor twice before.
Mr Ryan’s main objectives are improving services such as first-class parks in each ward, cycleways and walkways, and improving council’s financial situation to fund projects such as the pool.
He also believes council needs to be consultative with residents by implementing precinct committees and information booths.
Mr Ryan’s motivation to run for mayor is a desire to make council a more open facility that invests in good development.
Rod Doherty
Liberal candidate
Rod Doherty has served one term as a Ward D councillor and is running for mayor for the first time to have a greater say in planning decisions.
His major issue ahead of this election is employment.
Mr Doherty said he had concerns about jobs in his ward since Hydro Aluminium closed down, construction of the Hunter Expressway finished and mining experienced a downturn.
He said it was important to keep the tourism industry buoyant and ensure land was appropriately zoned to allow industry development.
Bob Pynsent
Labor candidate
Bob Pynsent became a Ward B councillor in 1999, and then mayor in 2012.
Big issues for Mr Pynsent are financial sustainability, avoiding a council amalgamation and upgrading the road network.
He said while he felt council had achieved a lot in the last term, the job was not done.
Mr Pynsent said he hoped to proceed with flood management plans and continuing to grow and promote jobs.
John Harvey
Independent candidate
John Harvey has served as an adviser to Liberal politicians Andrew Peacock, Nick Greiner and Jeff Kennett. He was also the federal director of the National Party in 1983.
He ran with an independent team for council in 2012 as he said he didn’t see a point in being tied down by a party.
Running alone this time, Mr Harvey feels that the big topics are the development application approval policy and creating local jobs.
He said he would also focus on creating more opportunities to draw tourism beyond the vineyards, with plans to build a mining museum if elected.
Fairfax Media extended an invitation to John Harvey to submit a video.
Ian Olsen
Independent candidate
Ian Olsen has served four terms on Cessnock council, including one as deputy mayor. He has run for mayor once before.
His major concern is roads, in particular ensuring quality work is done to prevent re-works.
Mr Olsen said he would focus on “getting council back to basics,” by allocating more funding to parks, gardens and cycleways rather than promoting the vineyards and the art gallery.
He also said it was important to promote good development in the right locations.
Voting
Pre-polling for the council election opened on Monday at both Cessnock and Kurri.
The Cessnock pre-poll location is at 1/10 Allandale Road (in the Video Ezy building) and the Kurri location is at the Kurri Community Centre, 251 Lang Street, Kurri.
Pre-polling in Branxton opens on Wednesday, September 7 at Branxton Community Hall, 35 Bowen Street, Branxton.
Postal vote applications are open now and close at 5pm on Monday, September 5.
Polling places are open from 8am to 6pm on election day – Saturday, September 10.
There is no absent voting at this election so residents must vote within both the Cessnock local government area and within their designated ward, or via postal vote.
For further information about the local government election visit www.votensw.info.