Harry Patel throws hat in ring for Townsville mayoralty
Addressing crime, stopping rate rises and council transparency are among nurse Harry Patel’s priorities as he officially puts his hat in the ring for Townsville mayor.
Townsville
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A third challenger wants to be mayor of Townsville.
Nurse Harry Patel has come up short in his quest to be a councillor before, but right on the deadline to nominate has put in his papers to be mayor, running as an independent.
“I have contested in previous council elections and feel Townsville could be a better place to live,” Mr Patel said.
“I have been speaking to people in our community in the past and present and have made a decision to stand for the council election.”
His key issues are crime, stopping rate rises, concentrating on water, sewerage, roads, parks and transport, and council transparency.
He spoke to the Bulletin in 2023 about his experience as a victim of crime.
Mr Patel said ratepayers needed to make their voices heard at the ballot, and encouraged voters to email him.
In 2020 Mr Patel unsuccessfully ran in a by-election for a council seat.
He lost to mayor Jenny Hill in the quest for the top job in 2016.
Cr Hill, and one-time almost One Nation state candidate Troy Thompson are also contesting the mayoralty this year.
Adversarial councillor Fran O’Callaghan had been poised to run for mayor, but recently pulled out for health reasons.
Elsewhere across North Queensland electorates, the race to lead local government is a mixed bag.
In the Burdekin Shire, travel agent Pierina Dalle Cort is looking to challenge incumbent Lyn McLaughlin for the top job.
In Charters Towers, incumbent mayor Frank Beveridge will go up against former mayor Liz Schmidt and retired earthmoving contractor Tony McDonald.
Hinchinbrook Shire Mayor Ramon Jayo is running unopposed.
Meanwhile, incumbent Mount Isa mayor Danielle Slade will have three opponents for the top job: Current deputy Phil Barwick, as well as Peta Macrae and David Fletcher.
Council nominations officially closed 12pm Tuesday.
The ballot paper order draws will be done Wednesday morning, ahead of election day on March 16.
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Originally published as Harry Patel throws hat in ring for Townsville mayoralty
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