THERE has been a changing of the guard at the Harden Shire Council with long-term mayor Chris Manchester being replaced by Cr John Horton in last week's mayoral election and shire general manager Max Kershaw announcing this week that he will retire in November.
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Cr Manchester lost the mayoral election ballot by four voters to two. Cr Tony Flanery was not present at the meeting.
Cr Neil Reid, from Jugiong, was elected deputy mayor at the meeting. Former deputy mayor Matthew Stadtmiller did not seek re-election for the position.
Cr Manchester has been on the shire since 1987. He was mayor from 1995 until 2006, when he stood down from the position. He returned as mayor in 2008 and held the position up until last week.
He said this week that he was disappointed with the outcome but that he would continue to serve on the council.
“I’m disappointed, especially at this time,” he said.
“One of the biggest challenges will be the review of local government (by the state government) and the Harden Shire’s long term future could be determined by the outcome of this review and the direction it takes.
“My personal view is that by 2016 we will see a whole new shire based on demographics.
“It will be important that the council works closely together to achieve the best possible outcomes for its residents.”
He said Harden’s days as a railway town were long gone and while trucking would always remain a large part of the local economy, the multi-million dollar
Pepe’s Duck Farm development signalled a change in the local industry base. He said the poultry industry could play a large role in Harden’s economic future.
Cr Manchester thanked the Harden community, fellow councillors and staff for the support he received throughout his term in office and said it had been an honour to lead Harden through a period of significant change and major improvements.
He cited the completion of the first stage of the main street upgrade, the relocation of Pepe’s Ducks to Harden from the Sydney region, the development of the Kruger Medical Centre, complete with three new doctors and an operational Hydro Pool as as some of the town’s major achievements in recent years.
He also said the construction of a state-of-art truck wash, completing the design stages for the Harden Skate Park and its inclusion in the 2014-15 Capital Works program, the establishment of the shire’s Youth Employment Scheme and the improved financial position of the council were also major achievements during his term in office.
The outgoing mayor thanked his family for their support in helping him to serve the Harden community.
He congratulated Cr Horton on his appointment as mayor and pledged to offer his support to the mayor in the difficult times ahead for local government.
Cr Horton thanked his fellow councillors for their support in endorsing him to his first term as mayor and paid tribute to the contribution made to the council and the Harden community by the outgoing mayor Cr Manchester.
In his first public comments as mayor, Cr Horton said he recognised the immense challenges that lie ahead for the Harden Shire Council in the next 12 to 18 months in implementing the state government’s local government reform agenda.
He said his election as mayor had been a “bitter, sweet moment” for him. It was a sweet moment as the election showed that his fellow councillors had confidence in him but had been bitter at the same time as he believed Cr Manchester had done a good job as mayor.
He said that some people had asked him about standing for mayor some six to eight months ago as they believed there needed to be a change in the council.
Some councillors also approached him about standing, he said, but he did not make his mind to stand until just before the meeting.
“I thought we could make the council more transparent. Rightly or wrongly, that is what I think. I want it to be more open to the community,” he said.
“I want to build on the good foundation we have and keep the community informed.”
He said he also wanted to work more closely with the Chamber of Commerce to build the retail and tourism sectors in town.
“I also want to provide the best roads and fire services possible for the farming sector as they are the life blood of Harden Shire,” he said.
Cr Horton said he would be meeting with Pepe’s Ducks management this Thursday and has arranged meetings with senior managers of Sibelco’s Galong limestone quarry in coming weeks.