Clr Fiona Creed will not run as an independent . . . yet.
Ward 4 councillor Fiona Creed has announced she will not contest next month’s local government election as an independent — but has warned her detractors she will return.
The long-standing Liberal councillor quit to become independent about a month ago after sensationally saying she was forced to withdraw her pre-selection nomination to avoid “bathing in my own blood” for refusing to be political.
While Clr Creed announced on Thursday she would not stand at next month’s poll as an independent, she said was “not done yet”.
“I decided not to run as an independent in this council election,” she told the Gazette.
“I have decided that I am going to further my studies with the opportunity to commence a PhD in midwifery.
“I would like to thank my supporters for backing me over the last 10 years.
“Like MacArthur, I will return. I am not done yet.”
Clr Creed thanked her “team mate”, fellow Ward 4 councillor and Deputy Mayor Mark Greenhill, and warned voters to choose carefully come September 8.
“As an independent I am very happy to endorse my fellow councillor and team mate for the last four years, Mark Greenhill,” she said.
“He and I have worked very well to achieve a lot of benefits for Ward 4 in terms of facilities and services, including re-surfacing Old Bathurst Road which made it much safer, the re-opening of Mitchells Pass, and the new learn to swim facilities at Glenbrook pool, which will make it more viable because it will provide year-round swimming facilities and relieve overcrowding at Springwood.
“I am sure that Mark Greenhill will continue this good work over the next four years and I wish him every success.
“I would suggest that voters take a good look at who they are giving their vote to and vote on merit rather than brand.”
Clr Creed also took the opportunity to point out the relative inexperience of the man who took her position in the party, Liberal candidate Brendan Christie.
“Having lived in the Blue Mountains for close to 40 years I do understand the needs and issues of residents of Ward 4, and believe I represented the people of Ward 4 in a fair and equitable manner over the last decade,” she said.
“I am not sure that a 21-year-old has the background or life experience to be able to understand what the concerns of the residents of Ward 4 are.”
Mr Christie responded by saying he was “determined to make a difference by injecting a new sense of commitment and fresh ideas into council”.
“As a father raising a young family with my partner Elizabeth, I understand many of the pressures facing our community,” he said in a statement.
“However I don’t pretend to have all the answers, no politician should. That is why I have been working hard to listen and understand the concerns of people in Ward 4.
“One issue which is consistently being raised with me is more of the same from council is not good enough anymore. We need our council to do a better job at delivering basic infrastructure and services to our community.
“I wish Clr Creed well in her future ventures outside of politics.”