I have decided to run for council because I feel people of all abilities need a voice.
Being impaired I still see areas that still need work around access and inclusion.
Have you been on a local council – or similar group before? And, if so, how will that experience help you in council?
I have never run for council before, I have been a volunteer member on the Benalla Access Awareness group, and I am a volunteer member on the Benalla Council Disability Reference Group, which has helped my communication skills, learning the rules and conduct within meetings, and gaining knowledge about the community and what I feel is needed in the community.
Benalla’s Ceremic Mural: The prehistoric Chameleon
Tell me a bit about yourself for those in town who might not know you?
My name is Dave Horan.
I am 55 years old and have lived and worked in Benalla for 20 years.
For people who don’t know me I am vision impaired and you will often see me walking around town with my Guide Bennie or my white cane.
I am a person willing to take on new challenges and learn new skills, and I am interested in what is going on in the community.
What policies/programs/initiatives etc would you like to work towards in the next four years if you are elected?
During the next four years I would like to work on improving access and inclusion for people of all abilities, working with other councillors to implement projects around access and inclusion and projects to give people of all abilities more opportunities to within council areas - such as parks and gardens.
Look at new rules and pet dogs being off-leash and being taken to public events, building and repairing footpaths, cleaning and repairing gutters, repairing car parks and making road crossing safer.
These are some of the things I would like to achieve.
Pool being refurbished in advance of re-opening
Do you have anything you would like to add?
Like all councillors in the past there have been good ideas and bad ideas.
In my opinion they all try to do the best they can.
If elected I will do the best of my ability to be am the voice people of all abilities need on council and that is all anyone can ask for.
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