These candidate profiles are written by the candidates themselves and are provided here as a service to our readers. They have not been vetted or fact-checked by Echonetdaily editorial staff.
Note, the profiles are not posted according to the AEC’s draw but based on when we received them (top to bottom). All candidates were contacted simultaneously, except those for whom the AEC did not have contact details.
Mayoral candidates
Jeff Johnson
Number of years in shire/LGA: 15
Current councillor? Yes, 8 years
Clubs: Lennox Surf Club volunteer Surf Lifesaver,
Sports: Squash, surfing, diving
Interests: natures beauty, music, gardening, reading, bush walking
Are you a member of any political party or an organised ‘ticket’? No
Ray Karam
Number of years in shire/LGA: Nearly 10 years this time and I spent many of my childhood and teenage years in Ballina.
Current councillor? No
Clubs/sports/interests: On the board of the Ballina Chamber of Commerce and former president of the same.
Are you a member of any political party or an organised ‘ticket’? No.
Keith Williams
Number of years in Ballina Shire: 9
Current councillor? Yes
If yes, how many years?: 4
Clubs/sports/interests: Vice-President, Australian Seabird Rescue; Founding Committee Member, Shark Watch NSW; Member, Richmond River Chapter, OzFish Unlimited; Member, Australian Association of Bush Regenerators; Member, Tintenbar Up Front.
Are you a member of any political party or an organised ‘ticket’? I am leading the Balance for Ballina team of independents, as candidate for Mayor and Ward B, standing with Nathan Willis in A Ward and Ron Birch and Vanessa Barrett in C Ward.
Sharon Lesley Cadwallader CMC JP
Number of years in shire/LGA:
18 years
Current councillor? Yes
If yes, how many years?:
I have served three consecutive terms. In total 12.5 years
Clubs/sports/interests:
Family/ bush walking/ reading/ youth/small business
Are you a member of any political party or an organised ‘ticket’? No
David Wright
Number of years in Ballina Shire: Resident on the Plateau (Alstonville/Wollongbar) since 1975.
Current councillor? Yes– Current Mayor
If yes, how many years?: 29
Clubs/sports/interests: Have been involved in cricket/basketball – love the beach – walk every day – coached school sporting teams for many years – love attending meetings/functions as Mayor to support and find out views on the Shire.
Are you a member of any political party or an organised ‘ticket’? No
NOTE- MAYORAL CANDIDATE DOES NOT RESIDE IN BALLINA SHIRE! Please correct the misleading information provided to you by Ballina Mayor candidate RAY KARAM. He DOES NOT live in the Ballina shire, he lives at Goonellabah in Lismore shire. Please see his ‘Candidate Information Sheet PDF’ at http://candidates.elections.nsw.gov.au/contest/councillor/LG1601-005-02-01 which states this fact.
Who is this Ray Karam and is he of ‘no fixed address’? On his ‘acupuncture byron bay’ website (that was reported in The Echo) has him claiming he’s a Byron Bay local. He is running as the mayor in Ballina. And the electoral commission has him listed as residing in Lismore. As a bare minimum, this Ray Karam candidate is geographically challenged.
Perhaps all candidates should publish their Business Background/expertise in Managing and Financial Planning..after all Council is a Business handling large sums of Ratepayers money.
Business expertise, and understanding, is paramount to making informed decisions on behalf of Communities/Business’/Commercial Development and Tourism whilst at the same time balancing the environment and lifestyle of all who live and visit our area.
Whilst many people stand for Local Government and are passionate for their ’cause’…and I applaud them, we have to have a balance of people who understand the Management of a Business!
With Business profiles of the Candidates …voters will have the opportunity to make informed decisions on who best will run our Council.
Kathy B
I personally know Ray Karam and know he is a good, honest guy, dedicated to many Ballina Shire issues.
I also appreciated David Wrights commitment for so many years, especially now as he still votes to keep our open spaces as is.
It is difficult to cast a vote on what is being said. We all have to find the truth in what the candidate REALLY stands for and is willing to vote for on behalf of the community and not only small group interests, for big financial gain.
Looking forward to learning as much as possible up to election day.