THE election might be two months away but the jostling for Orange's top job has started with two incumbent councillors announcing their plans to stand for mayor when Orange goes to the polls later this year.
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Councillors Tony Mileto and Jeff Whitton will throw their hats into the leadership ring after confirming they will be seeking re-election for council on December 4.
Councillors Jason Hamling and Glenn Taylor have also indicated they are seeking another term and are considering a tilt at the mayoral job as is Cr Kevin Duffy, if he stands.
Mayor Reg Kidd, who became Orange's first publicly elected mayor in 2017 when he beat Cr Russell Turner by 1075 votes, is yet to reveal his position.
"I'd like to retire but I've had a few people from the business community ask me to run again but I've been there 31 years ... I'm still weighing up my options," Cr Kidd said yesterday.
With four positions already declared vacant by the resignation of Cr Jo McRae, the retirement of Cr Russell Turner, the death of Cr Mario Previtera in 2020 and the decision by Cr Stephen Nugent not to stand again, Orange will have a new-look leadership team at the end of the year.
That's something Cr Mileto said was an exciting prospect and one of the reasons he was interested in the leadership role.
Cr Mileto will be announcing his ticket early week and said affordable housing and water security were two issues he was focussed on.
Deputy mayor Glenn Taylor said he was interested in the top job, having served as deputy mayor under four mayors.
"I've been deputy major seven times, I think I've served my apprenticeship," he said.
Cr Scott Munro said he was yet to decide if he would seek re-election but was "thinking very seriously about it".
"It was something I enjoyed. I've learned a lot and grown a lot."
Cr Turner, who has served out the last two council terms following a long career as the State member for Orange, said he was definitely not seeking re-election.
"I'm in my 80s, it's time to let the younger ones have their go."
Cr Sam Romano could not be reached.
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