Name of ticket or Independent: Group F - the Mileto-Townsend ticket.

Are you a mayoral candidate? Yes.

Are you currently an Orange councillor? No.

Age: 58.

Family: I’m married to Wayne with two daughters and a son, as well as four grandchildren.

What do you do for a living? Manager of the Bowen Community Technology Centre.

How long have you lived in Orange? I was born and raised in Orange. We moved from Orange in 1981 for my husband's work and returned in 1998.

What is the best part of living in Orange? While Orange is a large town it still has the country feel. The people are friendly and welcoming. It's my home town.   

Why are you running for Orange City Council? I feel passionately about the future of Orange and want to be able to give more for my town. I also believe that council needs broader representation to reflect the demographics of Orange.

How would you assess the performance of the current council? I feel that there has been too much infighting among councillors which has led council to be ineffective and has cost the ratepayers money. 

If elected, would you lobby to reduce, maintain or raise rates? If you would reduce them, which services or council undertakings would you eliminate to do so? I want to see a stop for three years to rate gouging via the water and sewerage levy. All other rates can be maintained as Orange's rates are already quite high and many ratepayers do not believe that they are getting value for money. 

Council has budgeted $17 million for roadworks in the next road-building season. Is this enough? Roads, footpaths and other critical infrastructure projects must be managed professionally and delivered according to correct standards. I feel the $17 million allocated should be enough for this season, however council should be prepared to spend more if necessary and we must not be making the same mistakes that have lead to the problems experienced with the Northern Distributor Road.

Which roads should get priority? The current roads that have been assigned for work are satisfactory. Council needs to listen to residents and following investigation by council staff allocate funds accordingly.

What is your plan for the Northern Distributor Road? Council needs to enter into talks with both the State and Federal Governments to seek funds to get the road fixed.

Do you agree with the industrial re-zoning at Orange airport?What should the space be used for in the future? I feel that the rezoning of prime agricultural land for industrial land should not take place, especially when this land forms part of the aquifer that supplies water to Orange. I am also concerned at the secrecy that has surrounded the industry that is proposed to be taking place in the industrial area. Any rezoning should only be considered to expand facilities at the airport. 

What specific uses for the former Electrolux factory will you pursue or support? Council needs to encourage industry to Orange that can utilise existing industrial land. Light manufacturing would be ideal, especially if the rail lines to the factory could be reopened which would transport more effective.

Do you agree with real estate agents and property developers being on council? Why or why not? I have no problems with developers or real estate agents being councillors, however it needs to be ensured that they are not appointed to any committees where there can be a conflict of interest. Developers and real estate agents should also be excluded from any discussions or decisions involving land purchases or developments.

What are the best ways council can help businesses prosper in the city? Council needs to review rates charged in the CBD to make it more attractive for businesses to either stay or come to Orange. Parking levies also need to be reviewed as I feel that at current levels they discourage small business from coming to Orange.

Is there enough parking in Orange? If not, where should additional car parks be constructed? There has been no additional parking created in Orange since the Ophir car park in Kite Street. Council should consider converting the old netball courts to public parking. Also the vacant council-owned block in Peisley Street could easily be made into more parking spaces. 

Do you support the proposed purpose-built sporting complex council has acquired land for to the north of the city? I do not believe that the site that has been purchased would be suitable for a sporting facility, however would be prepared to consider supporting other suitable sites if available or capital works to improve existing sporting fields within Orange.

Are there any major projects you would champion if you elected? The continuation of improvements to the showground on a regular basis. I would also like to see development of the old saleyards site as either housing (if suitable) or industrial land.