TATE WANTS A CONTEST, WHO’LL GIVE HIM ONE?

NO one can doubt Mayor Tom Tate’s passion for the city he leads. But there are legitimate questions and eyebrows being raised around the city at the appointment of Pastor Sue Baynes to his staff as a councillor adviser.

Mr Tate’s decision to run for a fourth term in the wake of weeks of headlines around the controversial appointment is perhaps no surprise. The Mayor has never taken a backward step from controversy or criticism and doesn’t appear to be in this case either.

Meanwhile, as he reveals in today’s edition he still has the “fire in the belly” to get things done. He has the runs on the board after three terms in power including his crowning achievement: ushering in the Home of the Arts precinct, which has brought a whole new dimension to the city.

Plenty of challenges exist going forward and no doubt into 2028 if he gets that far. The controversial move to sell Surfers Paradise’s Bruce Bishop car park is unresolved. Olympics infrastructure is critical but the city has no seat at the planning committee. To mention a few.

The Mayor today has said he wants to see a challenger.

The city needs someone with “fire in the belly” but a contest is always welcome.