Bob versus Joe in race for mayor
12:00a.m. 20th February 2008
The official ballot draw for candidates in the upcoming Sunshine Coast Regional Council elections. Photo: Brett Wortman/bw172887
Full list of those running for Sunshine Coast council
The only two candidates for the Sunshine Coast mayoralty, Joe Natoli and Bob Abbot, have both expressed surprise that more people didn't throw their hat in the ring.
Petra Dunn, of Kenilworth, almost made it a three-horse race, but her run was pulled up before it began when she arrived 20 minutes after the nomination deadline yesterday.
Mr Abbot and Mr Natoli will join the field of 50 candidates running for 13 positions on the council.
Both thought more people would have nominated.
“When I last stood for mayor there were 11 candidates – the most in Queensland,” Mr Natoli said. “It shows what a big commitment this job will involve.”
Mr Natoli’s campaign received a major blow yesterday when member for Nicklin Peter Wellington came out in support of Mr Abbot only hours before nominations closed.
“I’ll be voting for Bob Abbot on March 15,” Mr Wellington said.
“Leadership is about strength, character and vision.
“It’s clear to me that Bob has the lot.
“It’s obviously a very important election for the Coast and we have one chance to get this right, and I think now more than ever the Coast needs what Bob has to offer.”
Mr Natoli appeared undaunted by Mr Wellington’s snub as he proudly declared “this will be the fourth election I win” outside the electoral office in Nambour yesterday.
Mr Natoli also received another potential blow.
Mr Abbot’s name was the first to come out of the box to determine places on the ballot sheet.
Mr Natoli saw this as a “good omen” as he had never been selected as the first candidate.
The electoral office resembled a bingo hall as most candidates watched their names drawn out of the box.
The candidates could not have come from more diverse backgrounds – there were seasoned councillors like Andrew Champion, and seasoned candidates like Debbie Blumel.
There was a new-found television personality in John Morrall, from the Biggest Loser, and there were also the unknowns like Phil Mannell and Ron Green.
Most of the pool was made up of sitting councillors, but there were some last-minute surprise nominations, such as the inclusion of former state member Cate Molloy, who will stand for division nine.
Related stories:
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Biggest loser joins election line-up
Full list of those running for Sunshine Coast council
Bill Hoffman: Jostling for poll position
Recent Comments
1: (Top Weight) Abbot out of "Down to Earth" and "Track Record".
2: Natoli out of "Great Promises" and "Smoke & Mirrors".
Anyway, I hope Bob wins - purely because I don't want the Super Council being tainted from the outset by the stench of Maroochy Shire Council. The permitted practices that went on in that establishment must not be allowed to permeate into the new arena and I think that if Joe allowed it in the first place, he will be powerless to stamp it out soon.
Having said that, the voters also have the opprotunity to rid themselves of political sharks and bullies (I am not just talking about one candidate here, Caloundra now has one to worry about as well!)
I am glad that there are those like you on the southern end of the coast who are ready for a change and dont see it as a Noosa verses the rest.
However it is very important that, if elected, Bob needs to have Councillors who will support him. So do your homework on your divisional councillor and make sure you are voting for the right one. Many of Joes problems in the last council were caused by the coterie who wanted to run the show behind the scenes.
You're also spot on regarding making sure you know who you are voting for. There are some candidates who have plenty of skeletons they won't want revealed !
I still cannot fathom how you can be diametrically, very emotionally, very aggressively and genuinely opposed to an amalgamated super council, and then seek to become the Leader of it. That has me stuffed.
Joe gets my vote. I have no other choice.
I found Bob pathetic and almost laughable during the whole "Noosa is better than the rest" fiasco, but I prefer his (perceived by me, I must say) lenience toward the environment and community than Joe's (again, my perception) "hell yeah, those development guys can do that because they're great, and generous, people" favourtism toward the developers at the cost of the environment.
Bob, lose the Noosa arrogance and you'll romp it in from the southern end. (Did Dawn need a disabled parking space up here like she did in Sydney ? Did she get one ? Or had she 'recovered' in the mean time ?)
Represent the people, not the money or glory, that's all we all want from our representatives, I think.
Or am I wrong, readers ?
That's not BigBob's fault. It is some of Maroochy Shire Council and Joe's arrogance which can be more blamed for Noosa's reluctance to effectively be absorbed into MSC. One big happy family ?
On the subject of BigBob's turnaround on Amalgamation. I agree that he has made that switch. Much to the disgust of many of his Noosa community.
How many policy backflips and about-faces has Joe Natoli made since announcing his Mayoral candidacy ?
Sooner or later he has to realise it is a fight (against amalgamation) that he is not going to win. The state government still operates under beligerant Beattie mentality and they only do what suits them. So, he's swallowed (only to an extent, I'm sure) that bitter pill and has decided he wants to continue being instrumental in guiding the area. Let's face it, he couldn't do as much for Noosa if he wasn't mayor of the whole shebang, could he ?
Instead of seeing him doing an about face on the issue, try looking at it another way. I suspect he still hates what is going on, but still wants to do what he can for Noosa ??? I prefer his way of governing to the way MSC has been allowed to 'function' (and I use the term loosely in this context).
The residents of Noosa did not want amalgamation and being their leader Bob listened to his residents and stood up for them and did exactly what they wanted of him.
If he was in agreement of the amalgamation or not was not the point. He supported the majority of residents - the way a Mayor and all councillors should!!!!
I want to feel safe that our next Mayor will do everything he can to look after and protect the interests of the people who he answers too.
I believe Bob has demonstrated that he can do that. I would not be so sure about Joe. So I know who I am voting for!!!!
Bob'll do me as a leader, I like his name and his layback attitude and he has the leadership runs on the scoreboard.
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