With local council elections being held later this year, there has been a lot of speculation about who will be running for office in the Byron Shire.
On Monday afternoon Byron Mayor Simon Richardson made it clear what his intentions were after an announcement on Facebook.
‘After significant consideration, I have decided not to seek re-election to continue on as Mayor of our wonderful Shire,’ he said in a post.
‘I am not nominating for two reasons: For most of my time as Mayor, it was an approximately 60 hour plus per week commitment. Now, finding myself as a sole parent of two daughters, I cannot commit to the time required to do the job as it should be done. I would rather try to be a great dad than try to be a great mayor.’
Focussing on solutions
Mr Richardson said that after eight years as mayor and 12 years on council, he wants to focus his energies solely on solutions, something, he says, he cannot do on Council.
‘I applaud the validity of those who draw attention to problems, however, I wish to spend my focus on helping solutions come to life. Focusing on problems may allow our vehicle to dodge a pothole, but only creating solutions will move it forward down the road, which is what our society needs if we are to overcome the immense global challenges facing us.
Mr Richardson said that he is excited about the last stretch of his mayoral journey. ‘I will continue to commit myself to trying to represent the whole community to the best of my ability whilst I am in the job. Thanks.’
Deputy Mayor Sarah Ndiaye
Fellow Greens member and current deputy mayor, Councillor Sarah Ndiaye says it’s been an honour working alongside Simon Richardson. ‘He has vision, passion and has really put heart and soul into the role.
Cr Ndiaye says Richardson will be greatly missed but he has achieved a lot and will leave a wonderful legacy few will truly understand. ‘Right now though, he may be in for longer than he thinks and he is the perfect person to lead us during these unprecedented times.’
At this stage, the 2020 NSW Local Government elections are planned for Saturday, 12 September.
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