Like so many people, I was angry with mismanagement at the City of Ballarat. I have been on council for about 18 months, and the reason I stood for election was to make the then CEO and senior council officers accountable for their performance and advice. I have honoured that undertaking and will continue to do so. The main problem today is that a number of councillors do not have the experience, knowledge or strength of character to make senior officers accountable.
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Unfortunately, many candidates seeking election also have very good intentions and ideas, but do not have the knowledge or experience to stand up, investigate and make sure they’re getting proper advice.
Running my own business for many years has given me the ability to understand financial statements, balance sheets and budgets. This is critical, as there have been numerous cases where money has been wasted and project budgets have overrun. Few councillors have had the ability to understand the multitude of financial statements and find out exactly what is going on.
It is critical that competent, experienced councillors are elected. The time has come for councillors to take back control in respect to the running of the city. In the past four years, council debt has got completely out of control. It has grown from $9 million to $48 million. Council must learn to live within its budget. Again, I was one of the few councillors who voted against increasing rates by more than CPI.
I was a successful football coach and this experience has taught me a lot about how to manage people, communicate with people and treat them with respect. It certainly taught me a lot about leadership, something this council desperately needs.
I am an independent candidate and have never been a member of a political party. I will be on council not for my own political future, but for the future of Ballarat.
Jim Rinaldi is a north ward candidate.
