After five years, a Millicent shop owner has closed her doors for the final time and is now ready to run for election for Wattle Range Council.
The Junction Deli’s Nicole Looby-McRostie closed the store on Saturday night to devote her time to other matters.
There will be no more 7am starts and late finishes and a well-earned seaside holiday is beckoning.
After that, Nicole will spend more time with her family and volunteering twice-weekly for Millicent’s Salvation Army thrift shop.
There will also be time to campaign for a seat on the council as one of the five representatives for Corcoran Ward.
It looks highly likely that a ballot will be necessary as a number of serving councillors want to continue and some other newcomers have signalled their intentions to stand.
Nicole first revealed her council ambitions in The South Eastern Times a few months ago and she has since been encouraged by the feedback from her customers.
Running a shop for over 80 hours per week in Millicent’s main thoroughfare has brought Nicole into contact with the general public and she has heard many comments about council-related activities and policies.
Nicole said the requirement to pay dog registration fees online was a significant issue.
“All my oldies were concerned,” Nicole said.
“They do not use computers and they do not trust the internet.
“There is no law that states you cannot use cash as currency.
“Perhaps council could put barcodes on the dog registration notices and they could be paid at the post office like we do our council rates.”
According to Nicole, her Junction Deli customers regularly commented about some areas of council expenditure and she shared their views.
“They still complain about council cars being driven around at night and on weekends,” she said.
“That’s our money which is being driven around.
“The Beachport boat ramp is a waste of money.
“How much have they spent there this year?
“They could start all over again.
“The elderly tell me there are some bad footpaths in the Millicent township and there are not enough seats for them to sit when they go walking.
“People are still complaining about the roads.”
Nicole said her council campaign was supported by Junction Deli patrons.
“Lots of people want me to run for council,” she said.
“They say I can bring up the points that concern them.
“I will go to some council meetings in the coming months.”
Nominations for council open in about four months, a postal ballot will follow and the new council for 2018/2022 takes office in November.
Nicole said she would welcome the competition for places on Wattle Range Council.
“Anyone interested in standing for Wattle Range Council should do it as you could make a
difference.”
