Grant District Mayor Richard Sage has declared he has “unfinished business” and will stand for election at this year’s Local Government poll, despite being sidelined by his fellow elected members.
Mayor Sage has been gagged by his chamber for months, after complaints lodged by fellow councillors resulted in investigations into his behaviour.
Mayor Sage said his position had been “elected by the whole community”, something which weighed heavily in his decision-making.
“It is indeed an extreme honour and privilege which comes with the responsibility of representing and being the leader and spokesperson for Grant District Council,” he said.
Mayor Sage said he felt he had been targeted by councillors who had used “lame excuses to silence me” and who “took away my ability to represent the ratepayers and our community, to speak with ministers and advisors at all levels and carry out official functions for the last 11 months and more”.
“Many would ask why would you continue to put your hand up to lead a council after the treatment you have received in the chamber,” he said.
“The driving force behind me is the community support that I have received over this time,” Mayor Sage said.
“I am a quiet achiever, resilient and I stand my ground especially when the community wants a strong person to lead them, who is also prepared to listen and work with them. They want someone they can trust and who works for the common good.”
Mayor Sage said if he believed in something, he was “committed to try and get an outcome”.
“I do not give up easily. My advocacy has spanned for well over 20 years, one in particular was working with the Glenelg River Shack owners and others to achieve a once in generational change over to a long-term lease. This is only one of the very many issues I have been involved in over 24 years in Local Government, 13 years as Mayor.”
Mayor Sage said many issues and projects that needed to be addressed by a committed council were “still in front of us”.
“As I have said, there is ‘unfinished business’ and the group of current councillors, if they are re-elected, they will need to get on and do their own jobs and let me get on with mine,” he said.
“I have always given 100% commitment to Grant District Council community, I am always the person that asks the questions people do not want to hear.
“I am a lateral thinker and think outside the square. The old saying is that perseverance and patience always pays off in the long run and I am putting my nomination in because of that fact.”
Mayor Sage identified several key focuses for his campaign, including storm surge and coastal inundation, sea level rise, coast access and the ability to drive on SA beaches, river and coast master plan, the Mount Gambier and District Airport and the opportunities for a new educational hub.
