Armidale mayor Ian Tiley said he had not decided what he'll do or where he'll live, after Armidale Regional Council goes into caretaker mode in late July, in the lead-up to the September election.
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The mayor's statement comes after recent reports in the media that he was seriously considering election to the Clarence Valley Council in September.
"There are people down there lobbying very hard to get me back," Cr Tiley said.
"I was the first mayor of Clarence Valley, and there are a number of people down there who want me to come back because they see the council needing a lot of reform and they believe I could play a role in that regard.
"I'm very well known down there, and I get a sense that people aren't very happy with the Clarence Valley Council and that's why that media report has come about."
Cr Tiley stressed his focus was on the role that he has now, with Armidale Regional Council.
"I am here full time, I live here and I'm in the office every day," he said.
"I'm doing the very best that I can to restore the fortunes of this council with my council colleagues.
"In July I'll have to focus on whether I stay here or retire. I'm not a young man, and that has some appeal I can tell you."
Asked if his retirement plans would mean a move back to his home and garden in the Maclean, Cr Tiley said he was "torn".
"I've been coming here since 1997," he said.
"I've got three degrees out of the university including a doctorate, I'm an adjunct research fellow at the school of business, and there are some wonderful people here, and I love the place.
"I love the fact that you can have a really good debate or conversation with people - down on the coast it's not like that - it's all sun, sand, sea and surf.
"So there is a lot of appeal here, and I'm really committed to doing the best I can."
Although Cr Tiley has been involved with the Armidale community for more than two decades, he has not invested in local property.
"If I decide to stand for council next term I will buy something in Armidale because that is the right thing to do," he said.
"I'd rent my house out in the Maclean where I've lived since 1993. I spent most of last year there because of COVID, and we had our council meetings via Zoom.
"Recently I've been in Armidale full time and have only been home once in September since I was elected mayor."
According to Cr Tiley, there are good things on the horizon for Armidale, but he said it is critical there is a strong team in place.
"That is why I am getting out on councillor tours to talk to the people to try and win back some confidence and trust, but I'm up for it," he said.
"I'm up for trying to do that because there is so much potential for Armidale - it is exciting, and I'd like to be a part of that but on the other hand if the community gave me a very clear message that it was time to go I'd probably go.
"Getting a really good council is vital to the future of Armidale and if good people didn't nominate that would probably dissuade me from staying on.
"I'm talking to a lot of people to encourage them to think about it and understand the role and responsibilities and give it serious consideration.
"There is a very encouraging amount of interest from good people out there, I'm not talking academics or businessmen necessarily, but good folk who are level headed who want things to improve.
"What's happened over the last couple of years has been a wake-up call for those in the community that really feel they probably ought to get engaged with the council.
"It is really important to have people to start to think if they should give it a go and run for council."
Vanessa Arundale
Everyone has a story to tell and I like to help them do it.
Everyone has a story to tell and I like to help them do it.
