The Leader has asked each election candidate it profiles to bring an item that means something to them; whether it be personal, symbolic or representative of a professional achievement, and give the public an explanation why.
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CHARLES Impey has plenty of energy and always thinks ahead.
The high school careers advisor spends most of his time paving futures for the city's youth, and now the election candidate wants Tamworth Regional Council (TRC) to take a more proactive role.
"I have a lot of time for young people, particularly because I think in communities it's often the young people who are forgotten, especially those under 18 because they can't vote," he said.
"I see my role as continuing to go into bat for young people."
A councillor for the last five years, Cr Impey is passionate about projects that benefit the region's youth and will hopefully see them remain in Tamworth.
He played a major role in the establishment of the youth council, which helps inform the council's decision-making - and hopes it will give a real voice to young people.
"I'd like to see the age of young people being able to access The Youthie lowered, it's not young enough and you've got all these siblings under the age of 12 waiting out the front or staying at home," he said.
Cr Impey will stand as an independent and said the separation allows him to better make decisions that are right for the community.
"I'm all for development, I'm all for growth but it has to be a balanced approach, it can't be at the detriment of the people who live around it," he said.
"I'm not influenced by something that's happening outside of our region, which is important."
His future-thinking complements his passion for sustainability, and Cr Impey said he would like to see the council invest time and money in moving away from fossil fuels and looking at solar, recycled water, tree planting and more sustainable building practices.
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Asked to bring along an item of significance, Cr Impey chose his partner, Nicole.
"If you have a bit of love and care you can make a difference in all sorts of ways, you can conquer things, achieve things and succeed," he said.
"If I didn't have Nicole in my life there are many times, in particularly the last three years, where it's been tough. I've got pressures on with work, council, big decisions to make - I will sit down and say there's a lot going on and I'm not sure I can cope.
"She will always reassure me and it just makes a huge difference to someone's life."
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