Jeffrey McLaughlin, Russell O’Donnell, Brian Coleman and Hal Ruger face off for Barkly mayor
There are four candidates in the running to become the next mayor of the Barkly region. Meet them and read their visions here.
Centralian Advocate
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THE four candidates in the running to become the next mayor of the Barkly region have revealed their visions for the area with less than a week left to the local government elections.
Jeffrey McLaughlin said he was excited to make the towns in the region more vibrant and economically resilient should he be elected to stay in the position for another term.
Mr McLoughlin is one of four candidates vying for the role of mayor for the Barkly Regional Council on August 28.
“The Barkly is my home. I have friends right across the region and I want to continue to work proactively to grow our towns and communities into vibrant places that are socially and economically resilient,” he said.
“I have experience as both a councillor and mayor and have already overseen key developments across the Barkly. “
Businessman Russell O’Donnell is another keen candidate, who said if he were to become the next mayor, he would “work hard to advocate for (residents’) needs”.
“I would treat all areas with respect and listen to what is important to the residents from each individual area.” Mr O’Donnell first came to the Barkly region in May 1988 to work on Singleton Station at age 15. In 1991, he moved to Tennant Creek and has since “worked in all remote areas of the Barkly and contributed to the building of a lot of infrastructure in the region”.
Exploring options to making the Barkly region a tourist destination is a key priority for long-term Tennant Creek man Brian Coleman, who has also put his hand up for mayor. In his past, Mr Coleman has managed cattle stations, and is also a keen historian and musician.
“My intention is to unite the whole region so all can be involved in solving and creating remedies to whole region problems,” he said. “The main challenge (for the town) is to get respect back by setting goals for our youth in the way of careers, (which requires) involving the whole of the community from the grassroots up.”
Long-term councillor and mayoral candidate Hal Ruger did not respond to NT News questions before deadline. According to Tennant Creek and District Times, Mr Ruger said he would focus on “the installation of the town clock, greening of the new section of the Tennant Creek Cemetery”.
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