MAYORAL candidate Dennis Argall has announced his team of councillor candidates for ward two.
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The diverse group includes two women and two men representing both the female population and indigenous residents.
“We must represent the community. This is the future,” Mr Argall said, referring to his independent candidates Cara Longbottom, Ev Pettigrew and Josh Black.
“I am very proud to be associated with this team. When I become Mayor I will be giving my votes to Cara first. I have enormous confidence Cara will do an extraordinary job.”
Representing the youth of the Shoalhaven, 21-year-old Ms Longbottom works as a full-time volunteer at the Nowra Youth Centre.
She has been a Shoalhaven delegate at drug and alcohol conferences, is a member of council’s youth advisory committee and has the trust of the Jerrinja elders.
“Representing young people, women and the Aboriginal community, Cara will be an intelligent, fair, decent candidate who will show people how it can be done,” Mr Argall said.
Also representing the female residents of the city, Ev Pettrigrew said she was proud to be a part of Mr Argall’s group.
“We have to see change, we need total freshness in council. I believe if we do not elect change at this election the power will be taken out of our hands.”
She said it was time to take power away from Mayor Greg Watson “and his so-called Independents Group who are providing ever increasing dysfunctional service to our community”.
Candidate Josh Black said he was driven to stand for council by a desire to support the community and listen to what local residents want.
“We need to be amongst the people, we need a leader who represents the people and not himself,” he said.
“We need to create things and makes things grow in this city. We need to get together and unify, not just the indigenous and non-indigenous communities but everyone.”
Mr Argall said his team are working towards changing the way the current council operates.
“From September 13 we will transform the structure of this council and make it a model for local government in NSW.”