An Upper Hunter Shire Councillor has overnight told Merriwa residents wanting a de-amalgamation to ‘get over it because it’s not going to happen.’
The response from James Burns, at a Meet the Candidates Forum, was made in response to a question from local Rob Smith who told the councillor the community felt bullied by his sudden survey several months ago.
But Mr Burns told the crowd inside the RSL Club it is time to move on.
Around 60 locals who attended and up to 45 online listened to everyone’s pitch for their votes.
Mayor Maurice Collison told the forum the proposed special rate variation will not result in anything new for the community.
Local farmer Chris Kemp asked the Mayor if putting the rates up by 33 percent over the next three years would that been better road maintenance.
One of the candidates told the gathering as a farmer he doesn’t want a massive rate hike but if elected he might for the sake of the council.
Mr Ryan said he genuinely can’t give a straight answer when asked if he is for or against the proposed 33 percent rate rise in the shire.
