The Liberal Party has announced its candidates for the upcoming Cessnock City Council election, with local businessman and retired coal miner John Moores to run for mayor.
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Mr Moores has recently retired after 44 years in the mining industry, of which his last role was general manager of mining.
He has also owned several businesses, including Bellbird Mobil petrol station, Cessnock Car Detailing and Sound, and most recently, More Clean Air.
Mr Moores said he wants to be a role model for younger people in the town, "as they are the next generation, and need someone they can aspire to be".
"We need to re-build Cessnock from the ground up, to the powerhouse of jobs and opportunity that it once was, to leave a legacy to our children that isn't bad roads and gutters," he said.
"Cessnock needs a change of direction that it's never had before, a Liberal change."
Mr Moores will be the party's lead candidate in Ward B, with retired nurse Jacqui La France and retired civil engineer Michael Gane also on the ticket.
Incumbent councillor Paul Dunn will run again in Ward A, and said he is honoured to have been re-endorsed to contest a second term.
"Although in minority, I have made it a focus to work and bring together all councillors for the betterment of the city, particularly in ward A and I would like to thank my fellow Ward A councillors for this first term of council for me," he said.
"If re-elected, I hope to further my long-term goal of a fully-funded roads budget at no more cost to the residents," he said.
"Residents want better roads, curb and gutters, and to do this we need the long-term policy that delivers the funding to be able to do it.
"In the last few years alone we've been able to attract more funding than ever from the Coalition government to the council coffers.
"Cessnock needs a longer-term strategy to deliver for the people that relies upon solid policy and a full team working together
"Good policy allows for solid direction, not bad legacy, and Liberals on council provide a conduit directly to the state and federal governments."
Trade assistant Kean Miles, 22, and retired winery owner Robyn Strengers will be Cr Dunn's running mates in Ward A.
Lovedale graphic designer and guest house owner Karen Jackson will lead the Ward C ticket.
Ms Jackson is a volunteer with the Rothbury Rural Fire Brigade, a Justice of the Peace, and secretary of the Cessnock branch of the Liberal Party.
"If elected, I want to stay focused on what is expected from local councils; not only better roads, rates, and rubbish, but also helping in developing a strong community employment base," she said.
"As a newcomer to Cessnock and politics, I hope to inspire women to get involved in their community to make a positive difference to the future of the Cessnock LGA.
"Cessnock is a growing community and there are opportunities to build businesses, create jobs and make Cessnock stand out and apart for all the good reasons."
Tourism advocate and mum-of-two Veronica Hope and current councillor John Fagg will join Ms Jackson on the Ward C ticket.
Following the retirement of Cr Rod Doherty, former Weston Newsagency owner Harry Slade will be the party's lead candidate Ward D, joined by internationally-recognised artist Sharon Davson and Mr Slade's wife Ruth on the ticket.
Mr Slade was a dairy farmer and concrete batcher plant manager before he and Ruth bought Weston Newsagency in 1992.
He was also heavily involved in local sport, including athletics, rugby league and touch football, and is a long-time member of the Kurri Kurri District Business Chamber.
Mr Slade is standing for council for improved economic development, employment and business opportunities, and improvements to the way roads and kerb and guttering are delivered.
Meanwhile, independent mayoral candidate Ian Olsen has revealed four more members of his team for the election.
Troy Black will join Gayle Black's ticket in Ward A, Luke Bozic-Curran will be Cr Olsen's running mate in Ward B, Leonie Allen will run with Daniel Watton in Ward C and Eliza Faustini joins Paul Paynter's Ward D ticket.
Cr Olsen said the number three candidates for his team will be announced at a later date.
The election will be held on Saturday, September 4.
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Krystal Sellars
Krystal Sellars is the Senior Journalist at the Cessnock Advertiser. Born and raised in Cessnock, she started her journalism career at the Advertiser in 2006 after completing a Bachelor of Communication at the University of Newcastle. Contact her on krystal.sellars@cessnockadvertiser.com.au.
Krystal Sellars is the Senior Journalist at the Cessnock Advertiser. Born and raised in Cessnock, she started her journalism career at the Advertiser in 2006 after completing a Bachelor of Communication at the University of Newcastle. Contact her on krystal.sellars@cessnockadvertiser.com.au.
