Wednesday July 24, 2024
Volume 39 No. 26
$2 inc. GST
The Cobar Weekly Peak to transition to copper production Pg 2
Visitor numbers decline but they are spending more Pg 3
Cobar Police arrest wanted Victorian man Pg 6
Looking for a new vocation? Any local residents who are considering No one is however permitted to monopolise candidates nominate for the 12 vacant posirunning for election are encouraged to go a debate, talk over others, make threats, inter- tions which would necessitate an election. and chat with Cobar Shire Council’s gen- rupt another speaker or interject. “The public would then get to vote for who eral manager Peter Vlatko. “That may have been the old way that coun- they would like to see on Council. “I think it’s important for potential candi- cil meetings were run, but things have changed “If we only have 12 or less candidates, then dates to fully understand what’s involved in and meetings are now conducted in an organ- they would all be automatically elected to being a councillor, what’s expected of them ised, structured and respectful manner.” Council and voters wouldn’t get to have their and what their responsibilities will be. Mr Vlatko said ideally he’d like to see 15 say.” “If they come and see me I can give them an understanding about how Local Government and Council works, and what they will get out of it,” Mr Vlatko said. “It’s important for candidates to appreciate that they will be representing the community. “They need to be able to listen to what the community wants, and sometimes that might mean putting aside their own ideas. “They will also need to be able to work with their fellow councillors—you can’t achieve anything on Council as an individual, you need to work together as a team. “We welcome people in the community who have challenged what Council has been doing and the decisions it has made. “We’d like them to come on board, get an understanding of what’s involved and help us shape the future of the town and the shire. “Councillors are strategic, they create the vision of what they want the shire to look like. “Councillors are not operational, they work with the general manager and staff to make the vision happen.” Mr Vlatko said it was important that potential candidates make themselves aware of Council meeting formalities and protocols, as well as debating etiquette. Meetings are run formally and councillors Could you fill one of the vacant seats at Cobar Shire Council’s table? are given the opportunity to speak.