IAN Tiley was the most popular candidate in Saturday’s council election, and now he wants to be mayor.
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But, he might have some competition for the top job in Guyra councillor-elect Simon Murray.
Still undecided, Mr Murray said he is considering standing.
“I’ve got a farm to run and the mayor’s role is really a full time role, the remuneration is not really enough to pay for staff,” he said.
“That’s why in the back of my mind I’m uncertain.”
Mayor or not, as a councillor-elect Mr Murray wants to bring his colleagues out to the bush to hear the concerns of smaller communities.
“I want them to feel like they are being listened to by the council and see that they are getting a fair share of the resources,” Mr Murray said.
“I want them to be part of the regional community and not be treated as second-class citizens.”
The Malpas pipeline, water security for Guyra, industrial land at the airport in Armidale, the Guyra Gravel Road Management plan and hearing what the Tingha community would like done are at the top of his to-do list.
With the majority of councillors from Armidale, city-centric discussions on Council are one of his concerns.
“I could end up with a sloped forehead in the future from bashing my head against the wall,” Mr Murray said.
As it stands, Dr Tiley, Simon Murray and Jon Galletly have reached the quota needed to be elected.
Above the line, Team Margaret O’Connor head Margaret O’Connor appears to have nabbed a spot, along with Country Labor lead Debra O’Brien.
Pro-amalgamation Guyra candidate Aileen MacDonald has earned just 296 votes, compared to Simon Murray on 1495.
Counting continues to elect the other six councillors.
Final polling results are predicated to be in by Saturday.