|
THE 12th MAN HAS MORE THAN A SPORTING CHANCE - August 15th 2008
Why would someone who’s been working for councils for 17 years decide to put his hand up to be on the inside of the Council Chambers?
For Michael Regan, Forestville resident and Mayoral candidate with Wake Up Warringah, it was a matter of recognising the important role local government plays in the lives of residents and ratepayers.
“Local Government reaches into all areas of our lives – from waste management to coastline protection, from childcare to house extensions. Yet it’s probably the level of government people tend to dismiss too easily. ”
The Mayoral candidate suffered what could have been the first set back for his campaign this week when he was drawn out last on the ballot paper in the race to be Mayor of Warringah, placing him last on a list of a dozen candidates.
But the 12th man is hoping it will be a case of appearing “Lucky last” on the ballot paper.
“I do see the irony of the situation” said Michael REGAN, President of the Dee Why RSL Cricket team and Mayoral candidate for Wake Up Warringah.
“I made my final decision to run for council while standing on a cricket pitch, so it’s appropriate I’ve now been listed as the 12th man – as long as I don’t end up carrying the drinks on September 13th” said Mr Regan.
Mr Regan can point to the exact blade of grass he stood on at a Warringah cricket oval when he decided to enter local politics.
“I was coming in to bowl with the first ball of the game 18 months ago and I almost broke my ankle as I stepped down onto the uneven cricket pitch. That was when I decided that, to get something done about the condition of our sports fields, I needed to get involved in local government,” said Regan.
“I annoy my family and friends all the time telling them about my ideas for Warringah. That afternoon at cricket, I realised it was the right time for me to put those ideas into action.”
But Mr Regan’s interest in council matters doesn’t begin and end with the Cricket season. He has more than 17 years of experience working with local government, having started his career at the City of Sydney.
“Warringah Council oversees the expenditure of millions of ratepayers’ dollars every year. I think it’s time for Councillors to break with the old ways and operate as a board of directors. They should be professional and responsible but also remain open, transparent and approachable to the community. Call it a Board of Community Directors”.
Michael Regan has worked in both the private sector and for local government. His roles in Council have covered customer service and the operational areas of waste management and street cleaning. He currently works in town planning and environmental services.
“One of my biggest professional challenges was co-ordinating the event cleansing operations for the City of Sydney during the Olympic Games back in 2000.
“As a council employee at different levels of management and in various fields of operations, I have seen first hand what works at Council but also what doesn’t work. I know I’m able to make an effective contribution as Mayor and as a Councillor.”
Mr Regan’s background in local government means he understands the distinct roles that both council staff and the elected representatives play in the community. However his work in the private sector means he also understands the pressures and challenges of running a business.
“I know that strong communities need strong local businesses,” he said. “For Warringah’s community and economy to grow, local business needs the support and encouragement of Council where ever possible and I have many ideas about simple local innovations to help make that happen.”
“I admit it’s a big challenge but my experience in local government and the private enterprise puts me in a unique position to get the job done properly. The message I’ve heard loud and clear from the community since I started campaigning is that people want a fresh start for Warringah and that’s what the Wake Up group is all about.”
Back to Press Releases
|
