Division 1 candidate Alec Pokarier reveals road to recovery
A young Gold Coast candidate has revealed his drink driving history and struggles with mental health, and how with help he found a road to recovery to the 2020 poll.
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A YOUNG Gold Coast candidate has revealed his drink driving history and struggles with mental health, and how with help he found a road to recovery to the 2020 poll.
Alec Pokarier earlier this week attended at a Bulletin election forum where he and other Division 1 candidates, in a question asking about their backgrounds, called on them to detail any bankruptcies, traffic or criminal offences.
The northernmost division in the city will produce one of four new councillors after the March 28 poll.
Mr Pokarier in his response said: “No, I’ve never been bankrupt. I had – yep – traffic offences as most young males do, and I’ve learned from those experiences because I think there’s nothing more important than having a bit of life experience in your bloods and learning that way is perfect. I’m looking forward to most importantly being transparent and open as your next councillor.”
The Bulletin today asked Mr Pokarier about two recorded convictions – one for driving a vehicle over the middle alcohol range but not over the high alcohol limit and another for driving without a licence whilst disqualified by a court order on June 7 last year.
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He was later disqualified from holding a driver’s licence and fined $750.
Mr Pokarier today told The Bulletin: “I like many have been through really tough periods in my life. As admitted on Tuesday (at the forum), I have some poor history.
“During that time I was severely struggling with my mental health and not coping. I was trying to deny it was happening and I wasn’t my normal self.
“I was in a dark place and thankfully hadn’t hurt myself or anyone else when I found a great person who could genuinely see I was on a pathway of carelessness.
“I got referred to Headspace, formed a close knit team of people and decided to get myself out of it. I had great results and I’m so thankful for my family and partner for making me a better person today.”
Mr Pokarier was one of the first candidates to announce he would stand in the poll after the Electoral Commission of Queensland outlined changes to boundaries in mid-August last year.
Deputy Mayor Donna Gates, who is the current Division 1 councillor, is running in Division 3.
Mr Pokarier’s rivals in the poll are Mark Hammel, Pat Reynolds, Andrew Stimson and Renee Clarke.
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