There has been a lot of reaction, good and bad, to my YouTube video which you may have seen on this site. 

And while I most of us agree that we don’t need another council full of fuddy duddies, what sort of characters do we need on the new Adelaide City Council?

Up until now, the council has been largely a residents group.  I believe that the council should be run less like a residents group, and more like a business.

A business is made up of a range people with a their own unique skills.  Individuals that can each bring something to the table.

Here is how I would love to see the makeup of the new Adelaide City Council.

A good leader
The Lord Mayor needs to be able to inspire and collaborate with other council members, in the same way an MD of a business needs to.  They need to be strong, decisive and be a good negotiator.  This election there are only two convincing leaders amongst the Lord Mayoral candidates; Michael Harbison and Francene Connor.

A money-man
An account would help add a fiscal perspective to council decisions and would help the council deliberate on decisions that will have an economical impact on the city.  There are two accountants running for this election; Michael Gray and Domonic Rinaldi.

A legal-eagle
For all the flack they cop, lawyers ask the questions that help bring out the right answer.  A lawyer on the city council would provide a risk-managed perspective to its operations.  I am not aware of any lawyers running in this election.

An architect
Adelaide has taken on somewhat of a ‘spot planning’ approach, where developers put forward a proposal and the council decides whether it likes it.  An architect would bring a ‘whole city’ planning approach that will help the new council create a clear vision for the future.  Sandy Wilkinson is the only council hopeful who is a qualified architect.

A marketing guru
Adelaide doesn’t sell itself well.  A marketing person will help the council create a stronger identity for our capital city.  Building appeal to residents, businesses and tourists will quickly inject life into the city.  Naturally, I believe I have the skill and vision to be that person.

A business leader
Business drives activity, and often feel like they are oppressed by the council.  A leader from a business group will bring a forward-thinking approach to building our business precincts.  There are a couple of leaders of business groups in the race, including Michael Dilettoso and Anthony Williamson.

An environmentalist
Adelaide needs to build a sustainable city, and while many candidates echo this sentiment it really needs somebody with experience in this area to guide us forward.

Residents
Residents are a key to the city’s (and North Adelaide’s) vibrancy and life.  The council needs personalities that represent the residents for all the right reasons.  There is no shortage of residents running for a spot on the new council.