Meet the Candidates Forum

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The Tomaree Ratepayers and Residents Association is giving the community the opportunity to meet East Ward candidates for the Port Stephens Council elections tonight.

The Port Stephens 'Meet the Candidates' forum is on tonight at Nelson Bay Bowling Club from 7pm.

About ten of the candidates have agreed to make an appearance and tell residents just what they'll do for them if they're elected on September 9, and likewise, residents have the opportunity to tell candidates what they're concerned about and what they'd like to see from them.

Association Vice President Dick Appleby believes when it comes to local council there's nothing more important than knowing what your council is doing for you.

"Transparency, accountability, and consultation are very important to our community and we're hoping these new councillors will step up to the mark and improve things over what was happening in the last council."

The association say the forums are always very successful and are the perfect opportunity for residents to have a voice in the lead up to the election.

"Residents should take this opportunity to meet the candidates in the forthcoming council election. It's their responsibility to understand the issues facing our council and carefully choose the candidates who will best represent their interests and provide consultation, transparency, and accountability in the new council," said Dick Appleby.

Have your say with Port Stephens West Ward candidates tonight

BY JARROD MELMETH and JESSICA ROUSE

Port Stephens West Ward residents are getting the opportunity to raise concerns their council candidates at a public forum tonight at Stockton RSL Bowling Club.

In recent weeks council has been involved in political infighting with councillors filing defamation cases against one another. The forum will give residents the opportunity to ensure they are making an informed choice at the upcoming Local Council elections in September.

Fern Bay Fullerton Cove Progress Association Chair Sally Johnston says the forum kicks off at 7:30pm with at least six West Ward and Mayoral candidates getting around five minutes each to tell the crowd why they're standing and what they hope to achieve in the area should they be elected.

"Previously we've been down the far end of the council area and been somewhat forgotten - that's been changing a bit in the last year but there's a lot of small issues that are relevant for our residents, even simple things like bus stops, being able to cross the road safely, we're hoping though, that residents will get a feel for what candidates are going to best represent their interests," said Sally Johnston.

Residents just want a council willing to work together.

"I think broadly speaking we want a council that is actually going to work together and that's going to listen to the community particularly for Fern Bay and Fullerton Cove," said Sally Johnston.