DISAPPOINTED: Councillor Reg Kidd (left), with Cr Glenn Taylor at Thursday night’s mayor election. Photo: STEVE GOSCH 0920sgcouncil11
ORANGE councillor Reg Kidd says he would have stood for mayor if he had known Cr John Davis would stand unopposed.
He said he was not aware Cr Russell Turner had withdrawn his nomination until the ballots were pulled from the box. By then it was too late.
“I was a bit shell shocked,” he said.
“I’m very disappointed. A few people have been loose with the truth.”
Cr Kidd believed Cr Neil Jones would back Cr Turner for mayor, however, Cr Jones withdrew his support two hours before the election.
Cr Kidd said he would make a better mayor than Cr Davis, and does not agree with Cr Davis’ leadership style.
Cr Kidd was Orange mayor for a year in 2009. He said he received positive feedback from the community, partly because he was open with the community and councillors.
“I was very inclusive of all councillors,” he said.
Cr Kidd said Cr Davis favoured the few and not the many.
“I hope that changes,” he said.
“I will support him totally if that happens.”
Cr Kidd said there needed to be more transparency within council.
“I have had a lot of disagreements with him [Cr Davis] about a lot of things that haven’t happened,” he said.
“There needs to be more consultation.”
Cr Kidd said the council was too secretive with the public.
“The general community are sick of what seems to be spin-doctoring that comes out of council,” he said.
Cr Kidd supported Cr Turner for mayor because he believed he would make an honest leader.
“I served with him on council and he was always fair and open,” he said.
Cr Kidd said he did not nominate for the position of mayor initially because he believed it would split the council vote. He decided that would be counter-productive so he stepped back for the good of the council.
He said Orange needed a change in leadership.
“I think that showed with the election results and with the online polls,” he said.
“A successful mayor needs to be out with the politics within council.”
Cr Kidd said he would stand for mayor at the next election in 12 months.
nicole.kuter@ruralpress.com