As a small business owner himself, Manny Portelli knows how hard it can be to stay afloat in the city.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
“A lot of small businesses are struggling at the moment just because of rent, wages and the internet,” he said.
Mr Portelli is running in the Dubbo Regional Council election. He is one of five candidates in the South Ward.
The candidate runs ESP Accounting, which Mr Portelli said had won about five Dubbo Business Chamber awards. He also runs a small farm on the Obley Road.
Mr Portelli was born in Sydney before moving to Dunedoo at a young age. He went to boarding school in Forbes until year 12. Following school, Mr Portelli moved to Sydney for four years. When we was 23-years-old he took up residence in Dubbo.
It was only within the last few weeks that Mr Portelli said he had started to consider running for council.
“I want to do something different and mix it up a bit. The town has done a lot for me and I just want to give something back to the town,” Mr Portelli said.
“I like the way Dubbo is going at the moment and I want to help it continue forward with sustainable growth.”
By being a councillor, Mr Portelli said he wanted to ensure the city reached its full potential.
“I want to get the value out of every business dollar,” he said.
Having worked in the small business sector, the accounting director said he believed those skills, as well as his general life experience, would make him a good councillor.
Mr Portelli is one of three candidates in his ward not running in a group. He is not a member of any registered political parties.
“I just don’t want to be swayed by anybody else. I just want to be myself,” he said.
He chose to run in South Ward because it was where he lived, Mr Portelli said.
Mr Portelli is also a member of the Tony McGrane CSU Adviory Board, is part of the Alkane Community Consultive Committee and is a Cumboogle Rural Fire Volunteer.
Pre-polling will begin on August 28 before the election on September 9. One pre-polling opens residents, if eligible can vote at the Returning Office on Macquarie Street or at 21-23 Swift Street in Wellington.
More information about the Dubbo Regional Council election is available at www.elections.nsw.gov.au.