Clarence veterans in exit lane

THE Clarence City Council will enter a new era after next month’s local government elections, with two of the council’s longest-serving aldermen calling time on their civic careers.

After 36 years on council, Clarence Deputy Mayor Jock Campbell has decided against nominating for another term, saying the decision to walk away wasn’t easy, but the timing felt right.

First elected in 1974, Ald Campbell served six years as Clarence mayor and 18 years as deputy mayor, and oversaw many changes to the region during his time on council.

“The biggest challenge I faced over the years was when the Tasman Bridge collapsed early into my career on council in 1975,” Ald Campbell said.

“It really tested services on the Eastern Shore for a lengthy period, and there were several challenges with transport, such as getting the ferry service set up.”

Ald Campbell said he toyed with the idea of nominating in the upcoming council elections, which if elected, would have seen him serve a total of 40 years on Clarence Council, but he said he felt he couldn’t commit to a four-year term.

“It wasn’t an easy decision for me, I nearly went and put the nomination in right at the last minute,” he said.

“But I just felt that another four years was a long time, and I felt that the council needs candidates who are going to be all-in or all-out.”

Ald Campbell said he was disappointed to step away from council with some unfinished business.

“There’ll always be things that are not finished, but you’ve got to draw the line somewhere,” he said.

“There’s a lot of things I would’ve liked to have seen implemented in Clarence, such as more sporting facilities for juniors and improvements to the East Derwent Highway.”

The 76-year-old will retire alongside Alderman Doug Doust, who first joined council in 1998.

Ald Doust said he will miss his time serving the Clarence community, but some recent health concerns meant he wasn’t prepared to renominate.

“My enthusiasm is still there and I’ve enjoyed providing meaningful contributions to the community, but with some recent health problems I thought I should step aside and allow someone with fire in their belly to come in,” he said.

“I’ll miss the camaraderie with friends there. After serving for so many years you get used to going along every week and building that rapport with the aldermen and staff.”