As the senior journalist for the Parkes Champion Post, I had always been impressed by the way councillors over the decades had collaborated for the progression of our shire.
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So following my retirement, I was motivated to nominate as a candidate at the 2016 Council election, with the intention of contributing to the stability and progress of our shire.
It was a proud moment for myself, my partner Lindy and our two children Hannah and Drew when I was elected.
Council is the most important 'Board of Directors' anyone will ever serve on, and I have always put my heart and soul into my privileged position of councillor.
The community know me as being approachable and always ready to listen and address ratepayers' concerns.
At my first council meeting, my suggestion of keeping the swimming pool open from 6am to 7pm was passed unanimously (the pool previously closed between 8am and 10am), and thus I was off and running as a councillor.
Active representation on council and non-council committees followed - all of which I have remained on to the end of the current council term.
These include:
- Road Naming
- Little Theatre
- Economic Development
- Airport
- Heritage
- Pool Management
- Cooke Park Pavilion Inaugural Performance
- Cultural, Education and Library
- Sporting Facilities Development
- Christmas committee
- Parkes/Forbes Community Housing
- Arts Festival
- Northparkes Mines CCC
- Life Education
For me, integrity is the most important aspect of Local Government. It's certainly something I always aim for, not only as a councillor but in life generally.
People often ask what I believe has been my greatest achievement during my current term, and my answer to that is any achievement involves a team effort within council.
In saying that, I'm particularly proud of firstly bringing to Council, and then seeing the following come to fruition:
- The bollard lighting of all the entrances to Memorial Hill
- The dog park at Kelly Reserve
- Free admission to all the shire pools during the horrible drought (an initiative that remains in place at the pools in Peak Hill, Trundle and Tullamore)
- Painting in white the edges of all 170 plus road 'islands'
- Lighting of the Post Office car park
I am proud to be part of a proactive Council team that is responsive to the needs of the shire as a whole.
During the past five years, council has undertaken and completed numerous projects including:
- Major refurbishment of the Parkes Library
- Opened the water, sewerage and water recycling works
- Constructed the Cooke Park Pavilion
This is an exciting period in the history of our shire with the Special Activation Precinct (SAP), inland rail and the Newell Highway Bypass under way.
I have actively and tirelessly contributed to the many and varied programs throughout the shire and would be privileged to remain part of the future decision making as your elected representative.
So, on Saturday, December 4, I ask you to Vote 1 Bill Jayet for 'A Progressive Parkes Shire.'
If you are a Parkes Shire Council election candidate and haven't yet been contacted for a profile, please contact kristy.w@parkeschampionpost.com.au.
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