Candidate: Arthur Wright

scone.com.au asked each candidate in the upcoming Upper Hunter Shire Council elections a series of questions to allow readers to compare and contrast responses, based on questions sent by our readers and stories which generated the most interest in the community:

1: An overview of your background:

I brought a property back in the 1950’s and borrowed money from the bank to buy that property and I’ve run a property here in Merriwa since then. I’ve run stud sheep, I’ve run thoroughbred horse studs including 11 stallions so I’m experienced with those industries. I;ve spent 18 years on the local hospital board, I’ve spent two years on the area health board which took in Merriwa, Muswellbrook, Denman, Murrurundi. I was a foundation member of the Merriwa Rotary Club which are coming up to 50 years and a foundation member of the Merriwa Lion’s Club and I’ve delivered meals on wheels in town and out of town.

I’m in a position to be able to put in 4 years to put in some help to the community and do the right thing by the

2: Why are you running for Council?

Well I’m not that happy with the service we are getting from some of our councillors and I feel that I am in a position that I should be able to do better than some of them. I might not be able to but that’s what I feel.

I’m in a position to be able to put in four years to help the community and to do the right thing by the community.

I’m certainly not thinking about getting on the Council just to represent Merriwa, if I’m voted in I want to represent the whole of the Upper Hunter Shire.

3: Have you been on Council before? How many years? In what roles?

No.

4: What are the three main issues you would like to address as a Councillor if you are elected?

1:The roaad leading to the saleyards

2: Liverpool Plains and the Upper Hutner Shire Council can get together and amke sure the $5million plus we’ve been offered by Barnaby Joyce, make sure that’s used properly and not duplicated.

3: Another thing is there are seven new houses in Merriwa that still have a gravel road and they should have a bitchumen road, thye are unfairly treated in my mind.

They are a few things I’ll spark up about, I’m told I might run into a brick wall but my idea is if you run into a brick wall you take a pick hammer and you hammer it until the brick wall falls down.

5: What do you think Councillors could be doing better?

Look I won’t criticise anything the current Council, that’s for them to explain. But I know there are things I’d like to change and if I’m elected I’ll do what I think has to happen then.

6: Who have you listed on your “How to Vote” (in order):

Arthur Wright, Liam Garment, Lee Watts, Debra Haydon and James Burns.

7: In the referendum will you be voting for a directly elected Mayor? (yes / no).

Haven’t made up my mind yet, I’ll think about that one.

8: Are you currently or have you ever been a member of a political party or campaigned for a political party?

Never have been, I’ve voted for both sides of politics at different times and I’m definitely independent.

9: Would you have supported the sale of the library building without community consultation, putting it on the public record or put out to public tender?

That doesn’t sound like something I’d approve.

10: While not legally required, do you feel it is ethically required for Council to place on the public record the sale of any Council owned land and buildings?

I would say yes.

11: Do you think it was acceptable that septic services were closed without community consultation or it being placed on the public record?

I certainly wouldn’t do anything that is going to hurt local businesses (local septic service contractors) and it should certainly be talked about.

12: Do you feel the current Councillors have been able to ensure Council has been transparent and proactive with the community? Why / why not?

I’ve got doubts about some current Councillors that have been there too long and not doing enough. There are good people there, but there are others that in my mind are not suited to be representing the Upper Hunter Shire.

13: Will you support free green waste drop off or green waste bins?

I don’t know, I’d need to look into it more and know more about it first.

14: Many residents report feeling unsafe going for a walk due to the number of stray dogs. Do you think Council’s current response time of 24 hours for a ranger to attend to a call for a stray dog is acceptable? What would you propose?

I don’t know without hearing the arguments for or against, but the dogs should be taken control of as soon as possible and for people to be responsible for their dogs.

15: Do you feel the water pipeline to Murrurundi is progressing well or could Council be doing more to expediate this infrastructure?

I don’t know the detail of that, but I’d like to find out more if I was elected.

16: What improved recreational facilities would you support across the Shire?

Where ever possible I’d like more recreational facilities. The Rotary Club built a playground on the eastern side of the town, but there is no toilet there and they are running across the road with children and that can easily be solved.

17: Where can people find more information about you?

My telephone number is 02 6548 2394 and I’ll be getting a mobile in the next week or so.

Related article:

• Meet the 2016 Candidates.