KERRY Cassells wants change.
Ms Cassells sat on Moree Plains Shire Council between 2016 and 2021, and says she’s ready to again step up to the plate and “fight tooth and nail for shire residents” – and, she says, change is needed.
“Voters elect councillors to do the very best for them. It is not only rates, roads and rubbish, although those things are vitally important to keep our electorate viable and running,” Ms Cassells said.
“Community safety and security, good police numbers, the cost of living challenges, health, education, housing, youth issues, drug and alcohol issues, and sport and mental health problems all need the attention of our local council,” she said.
Ms Cassells, a former Justice Health clinical nurse specialist, has lived in Moree for 63 years and has always wanted the best for the shire.
She passionately volunteers with several Moree junior sports clubs and wants the best for the community.
“Seeing and doing what the community wants and how to go about achieving their needs is what being an elected councillor is all about,” Ms Cassells said.
“I am a firm believer in inclusion, not exclusion, and everybody deserves to be heard, regardless of where they live or who they are,” she said.
“As a councillor, you must listen to the whole of the community and shire villagers to hear and see what you can do to ensure they receive the same as everyone else.
“It’s about everyone – the young, the elderly, the disabled, the disenfranchised, the rural landowners, the new arrivals, and businesses big and small,” she said.
Ms Cassells wants to implement incentives to attract doctors, nurses and professionals to the Moree plains.
“We need to make our community the very best it can be, and we need more professionals, especially in the health sector,” she said.
Ms Cassells served nearly five years as a Moree Plains Shire councillor during some tough times, including drought and Covid-19.
“I am standing for re-election as there are many unfinished projects across the Moree Shire that need to be completed,” Ms Cassells said.
“At the end of the day, elected councillors should do what is required and what is possible.
“It is foolish to make promises, but councillors should do everything they can to work together and get things done for everyone,” she said.
“That includes involving the community in discussions and conversations to hear everyone’s collective voice, and ask what they want and what they need,” she said.
Words: Bill Poulos
