What do you want as your representative?

Not only is there an abundance of prospective candidates, there are also some stark contrasts in their styles and backgrounds.

In the lead up to the election, it is easy to be swept up in the forage that is election fever, or in other words; ‘look what I’ve done and look what I can achieve for you’ mantras. 

Despite this, it is important to remember why we vote for these representatives to begin with. 

On September 10, we will make a very important decision that will impact the sort of place the Yass Valley is to live, do business and invest in.

The questions each voter must ask is: what services do we want and how should they be provided? 

As representatives we need people who put the long term interests of ratepayers – not the council – first, and are open and honest with the community.

When there is a question they know how to approach staff and have enough courage to probe for the right answers. Know how to ask relevant questions and how to test information presented to council. 

A representative that avoids the impulse to be self-defensive against well-intentioned criticisms and ideas for improvement. As well as those that are prudent and innovative with expenditure. 

Our electives must be skilled in establishing policies for the benefit of the whole community as distinct from special interest group gains.

While this comment reads much like the selection criteria for a prospective job, that is exactly how we should be perceiving the role. 

This is a job, a job which affects the broad community of the Yass Valley.

Our hope is that our decision will bring new energy to the Yass council and make it an organisation worth its weight, and fit into the future. 

We need to elect these nine people on the premise of being smarter, doing more with less, but doing it better and being focused on what is best for the community.

The different policies, opinions and approaches will be further laid bare this week with a ‘meet the candidates’ debate to be held Wednesday, leading up to election day on September 10.