WELL Adam Marshall certainly does not mince his words.
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The Northern Tablelands MP has lashed out at seven councillors who have put forward a motion to ask mayor Simon Murray to resign.
"By their recent behaviour, people could be forgiven for believing they're actually a loose confederation of warring tribes, petulantly and publicly sniping at each other, rather than maturely confronting some of the very real and serious issues our region is facing," he said.
"The community is frustrated, verging on angry, because we've seen this show played out before with previous councils and it wasn't particularly entertaining or helpful then."
The motion of no confidence will go to an extraordinary meeting on Friday morning.
It's signed by seven councillors; Margaret O'Connor, Andrew Murat, Jon Galletly, Debra O'Brien, Dorothy Robinson, Peter Bailey and former administrator Ian Tiley.
By their recent behaviour, people could be forgiven for believing they're actually a loose confederation of warring tribes, petulantly and publicly sniping at each other, rather than maturely confronting some of the very real and serious issues our region is facing.
- Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall
The motion has no legal capacity to force the mayor to step down, and the council faces an awkward seven months until the September election with Cr Murray confirming he will not resign.
With a raft of critical issues like water security, drought and bushfire recovery already on Armidale's shoulders, the council needs to be united, Mr Marshall said.
"Division is death in any organisation, especially in local government where we - the ratepayers and residents - look to our council to provide clear direction and good civic leadership," he said.
"I know only too well how a strong cohesive council can help drive a community and region forward, giving locals and would-be locals confidence to invest, relocate and support their community and their vision for the future.
"Likewise, a divided and rudderless council inspires nothing but negatively, which permeates and infects an entire community, like the spread of a cancer, killing off development, innovation and hope."
Mr Marshall was a councillor himself for nine years in Gunnedah and while it's not possible for everyone to be mates, councillors have an obligation to rise to the challenge.
It's a sad reflection on the council that relationships have deteriorated to the point where a no confidence motion will be debated, he said.
"So, the message is clear and hopefully heeded by our Councillors - grow up, put your differences aside, put your focus where it should be, on the community, and get on with the job you were elected to do.
"Like all of us in public office, you're accountable to, and judged by, the community on what you collectively do - and judgement day is coming soon."