By Aneeka Simonis
HE promises to be a new voice for Pakenham.
And council hopeful Richard Sherman, 56, has the backing of a much older voice – retiring councillor George Blenkhorn, who has put his support behind Richard in his campaign for a Central Ward seat.
Richard, long-term former Marketing Manager at Star News Group, said 35 years in the newspaper industry had opened his eyes to the “good, bad and ugly of local government”.
He’s putting his hand up to be the change.
“Council needs new faces, new blood and new ideas coming through,” the Pakenham resident said.
If elected in October, he said he would use his marketing expertise to help business growth in Cardinia Shire.
“I will make sure businesses prosper and help grow our business community. No-one wants to be travelling on the Monash but so many people have to leave (the shire) to get to work,” he said.
“There is a lot of development happening in Main Street, Princes Highway and Bald Hill Road … but not a lot of cohesion promoting Pakenham as a whole.
“There isn’t a trader group that runs across all areas. The area is growing rapidly and there needs to be cohesion to attract more businesses.”
He said he was also determined to keep families united by providing family-friendly facilities and bringing residents of all ages, backgrounds and abilities together as one.
Ensuring local development reflected the needs and affordability of residents was also highlighted as a key campaign standpoint.
In addition to Cr Blenkhorn, Central Ward is represented by Cr Kate Lempriere, Cr Collin Ross and Mayor Jodie Owen.
All three plan to recontest their seat at the October election.
Nominations close on Tuesday 20 September.
