Tamworth Regional Council elections 2021: Tamworth Labor president, school crossing supervisor Mick Lawler to stand for council

SCHOOL crossing supervisor Mick Lawler believes Labor winning a seat at the table at the Tamworth Regional Council election is the key to more transparency in the decision-making process.

The Tamworth Labor branch president, and life member of the party is one of five endorsed Labor candidates for the December election, led by union organiser, and 2019 state election candidate Stephen Mears.

Born in Scone, the 74-year-old moved to Tamworth almost 70 years ago, and has called the city home ever since.

Attending Christian Brothers College and Tamworth High School, Mr Lawler completed a carpentry and joinery apprenticeship and worked in the building industry until 1980, when he became a union organiser for the construction union.

He worked as an organiser for 30 years, before attaining his life membership and retiring in 2009.

The proud father of three children: Nicole, Kristin and Patrick and husband to wife Rhonda, said if elected he would "develop a transparency principle in conjunction with other progressive candidates".

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Developing a green energy and fair equity principle would also be among his top priorities.

"Not forgetting the four main principles that are the foundation stones of council service, which are renewable energy, roads, rates and rubbish," he added.

"I don't believe that it's a priority to have a 100,000 people living in Tamworth; I believe that the council needs to improve infrastructure in areas such as health, education and law and order before we can increase our population to such an extent.

"I believe the most stressing problem for the TRC is making our area drought proof as global warming is our most pressing problem.

"To this end we need to look at developing the Muller Creek Impoundment as a further alternative in conjunction with the state government."

Asked what item of significance he would like to be photographed with, Mr Lawler said his work for Transport NSW as a crossing supervisor at a Tamworth primary school was an important aspect of his life.

"This is to supplement my pension and it gives me the opportunity to talk to rate payers and very many of them are upset with the way the council is being run," he said.

"If we are elected, we will undertake to talk at length to anyone who has a problem with the council workings and to seek to alleviate those problems."

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