Veteran Councillor Kevin Crameri has back-flipped on his promise not to contest the next election.
The Independent Councillor, first elected to Penrith Council in 1975, said unresolved matters prevented him from hanging up his boots.
“I find I can no longer keep my promise that I won’t be at the next election,” he said during tonight’s Ordinary Council meeting.
“People’s health and safety are being compromised.”
His declaration was met with friendly heckling by Deputy Mayor Tricia Hitchen.
“What a surprise, what a surprise,” she said, referring to the 75-year-old’s history of similar broken promises.
Later that evening, Cr Crameri shed more light on his decision not to call it quits, seemingly blaming Council officers for failing to provide timely answers to his requests.
“What’s happening to the group homes where somebody allowed five homes on five acres and the water is running out onto the road?” the North Ward representative demanded.
“I’ve raised this one a couple of times and I’m still not seeing a resolution to it.
“Then there’s a couple I am waiting for answers from: the trees, the Local Land Services, why we don’t apply etc, a report on the rural gutters – that still hasn’t come through.
“I would just like them to have a look at my requests and see which ones have not been answered and get some of these reports back.
“I was hoping that they’d all be done before December 4.”
The local government elections are scheduled to take place on Saturday, December 4 after being postponed twice due to COVID-19.
Alena Higgins is the Weekender’s Senior News Reporter, primarily covering courts and Council issues.
