John Kelly, Manly 1st – Your Voice For Manly, launches team of three for northern beaches election
A new trio of independents say they will better represent business and grassroots community groups if they win a seat on the council at the upcoming local election.
Manly
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A new set of fresh, independent candidates will join the Northern Beaches Council election race in December.
Manly 1st – Your Voice For Manly, was launched by John Kelly, executive director of the not-for-profit organisation Community Northern Beaches.
He’s the lead name on the ticket.
Maryann Novakovic, who has held senior roles at both state and local government, is the number two candidate and gym owner James Brodie, of J-Train Athletic Performance, is the third name.
Mr Kelly, a well-known figure in the Manly community, said all the team had “significant community involvement outside politics”.
“That is where our heart is,” he said.
He claimed they were the only “genuine, independent candidates” running in Manly.
He said Your Northern Beaches, headed by Mayor Michael Regan, was fielding candidates in every ward. He added that Deputy Mayor Candy Bingham’s team Good For Manly, had run several election campaigns.
The two other parties both insist they are also fielding truly independent candidates too.
Mr Kelly said ultimately it was his own frustrations with the council that persuaded him to run for election.
“There have been frustrations with the council and I felt the only way to make change was to be on the inside,” he said.
He said people making the decisions were too far removed from ordinary people.
“They get paid every fortnight, enjoy flexidays and leased cars,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said business owners in Manly have “copped” a 43 per cent rate rise, which he believes should have been spread over four years.
He plans to reveals more of his policies over the next few weeks, but said many will relate to grassroots community organisations.
John Kelly
As Executive Director of Community Northern Beaches, John Kelly is responsible for providing support and services to help with domestic violence, homelessness, migrant and refugee, families and children, and volunteers on the peninsula.
He has also had executive roles at CatholicCare, St Vincent de Paul, RSL LifeCare, and Sunnyfield.
“For over twenty years I have worked tirelessly for the community, and particularly those in our community that find themselves voiceless,” he said.
Before working in the not-for-profit sector he worked for fourteen years in local government across four different council’s including Warringah Council.
Outside of the office environment he has coached Manly Roo’s and Vikings for nine years, Manly Marlins for six years, was age manager of the Nippers at North Steyne for six years, and an active patrol member at North Steyne for eighteen years.
Maryann Novakovic
Maryann Novakovic has worked in management and community development roles for 40 years.
She has held senior management roles and advisory roles at both state and local government level and the not for profit sector, including NSW Police, Zoological Parks Board, Powerhouse Museum, Lifeline NB, Royal Far West and Vinnies.
Ms Novakovic said she “strongly believes in transparency in all levels of decision making, developed with community consultation as the benchmark for all planning”.
She said she was “passionate about returning the power to Manly Ward residents, something lost since the amalgamation into Northern Beaches Council”.
James Brodie
Owner of local business J-Train Athletic Performance, James Brodie works with multiple community based sporting teams such as the Manly Marlins, Forest Rugby and Manly Savers.
He said sport in the community is something he believes provides incredible lifelong benefits around fitness, self-esteem, discipline and person skills.
“Apart from my business I really enjoy my Off Grid farm where I practice sustainable living methods and have built a carbon neutral, self-sufficient property,” he said.
“I am passionate about the environment and how we can, as a global community, reduce our negative footprint on the planet.”
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