Former Dubbo mayor Mathew Dickerson said it would be hypocritical of him to seek election for the new Dubbo Regional Council after being so adamant it wouldn’t work.
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Mr Dickerson officially ruled himself out of running when contacted by the Daily Liberal because he said he still didn’t believe the amalgamated Dubbo and Wellington shires would work properly.
“I have been adamant since day one that I wouldn’t stand,” Mr Dickerson said.
“I served 12 years as a councillor and five as mayor and I think that is probably enough.
“I’m still not convinced this amalgamation is the best thing for residents and I would find it difficult to attack it with 110 per cent passion and enthusiasm like I previously did.
“I think for me to go from fighting so passionately against it [the merger] to seeking to be part of the new council would be hypocritical.”
Fellow former mayor Allan Smith said he was also unlikely to seek a return to public office.
He was still unhappy with the way the 11 former councillors were treated when Dubbo City Council was amalgamated with Wellington in May 2016.
“I’m considering it, but I’m probably 75 per cent against running. It was quite disappointing the way we were unceremoniously marched out of the place,” he said.
“The people of Dubbo got the raw end of the sword with this merger, they had a financially-stable council and now they are having to assist Wellington.”
Mr Smith said he had served local government for 25 years, including four years as deputy mayor, seven and a half as mayor and served on all committees. He said he wanted to spend more time with his family.
John Walkom also ruled out running, saying he was just too busy to consider running again.
Rod Towney was another who said he was unlikely to stand at the September 9 election.
He said he hadn’t dismissed it completely but was leaning towards stepping away.