Newly formed public advocacy group Wollondilly Community First is determined to make an impact at the December 4 council elections.
It has just endorsed a team of independents led by Dave Clayton for East Ward.
Mr Clayton, a Bargo community identity, says his team will offer voters a combination of experience and expertise in community and emergency services, business operations and an understanding of the issues of concern in the shire
His team is the second one endorsed for East Ward by Wollondilly Community First (WCF).
Joining Mr Clayton’s push for election to council is Geraldine Cox, a retired NSW Ambulance Service paramedic from Buxton, where she has been active helping to regenerate the area’s bushland after the Black Summer fires.
Also on the ticket is Nicole Pearce, a Bargo resident who owned and operated her own automotive business for 20 years, has been a foster carer for nine years and has a track record of fighting for community issues.
Barry Ruttley, an electrician by trade who runs two businesses, Bazza Electrical and Fine Form Limousines, out of Bargo is the fourth member of the team.
Team leader Dave Clayton and his wife Sharon have lived in Bargo for 18 years.
He is chairman of the Bargo Sports Club advisory committee and is heavily involved in the Wollondilly Men’s Shed program.
He is president of the Bargo Men’s Shed, and vice-president of Wolcoms (Wollondilly Community Men’s Sheds) which includes sheds at Appin, Bargo, Menangle, Tahmoor and Warragamba.
“I believe timing is everything and the time is right for change on Wollondilly Council. The community wants it,” says Mr Clayton.
“I am keen to ensure that our rates are spent effectively, not only on the repair and maintenance of Wollondilly’s shocking roads, but in better maintaining all the public infrastructure in our shire’s towns and villages.”
Established in March 2021, Wollondilly Community First (WCF) have also endorsed former councillor, Ray Law, as their preferred candidate to become Wollondilly’s first directly elected mayor.
WCF president Bob Rogers says the aim of his group is to offer Wollondilly residents the opportunity to vote for change on December 4.
“We have now endorsed two independent teams to run in East Ward, led respectively by Bargo identities Dave Clayton and Paul Rogers,’’ he said.
“And we have endorsed a team led by Picton businesswoman Teonie Mitchell to stand in North Ward.
“I encourage all Wollondilly residents to put the failures of past councils behind us, and vote for candidates who can make a difference – who will put our community first.”
Being able to serve my community again make me very proud. I’m geared up to support Dave and my other colleagues to collectively bring in the long-awaited broad expertise the Wollondilly community has been waiting for, and have been very vocal about.
Dave and his team members will bring needed changes to W’dilly – for too long Council has failed to respond to residents. We need responsible and competent leaders who have a clear vision.
Excellent to see so many wonderful Dilly candidates! Dave Clayton is a stalwart of the community, highly organised and always gets the job done! I believe this team will a wonderful representation of the area!
I have know Dave for many years and always found him to be a likable and sincere person, who is passionate about the local Bargo community. His executive skills would be of a huge benifit to the Shire
It is exciting to see these new candidates standing for election. I know all of them and am sure that amore deicated community minded group cannot be found