January 29, 2016
A fourth candidate has joined the race for South Burnett mayor … and Sheena Lindholm knows firsthand exactly what the job entails.
Ms Lindholm has been the personal assistant to Mayor Wayne Kratzmann during his term in the top job, watching carefully as he went about his role.
Her career in local government began almost by mistake, but she admits she has always had her eye on politics.
She was named Nanango’s Junior Citizen of the Year in 2006 while she was Nanango State High School captain.
During her acceptance speech, she told the audience she wanted to go to university to study teaching and psychology so she could one day become Education Minister.
However, she decided to take a “gap” year after school during which time she started a traineeship with Nanango Shire Council.
She told southburnett.com.au she fell in love with local government during this time.
The traineeship enabled her to work in many different Council departments, including wastewater which “grounded me to the core”, she said.
“I learned about all the services that Council has to deliver on a day-to-day basis to make the world go around,” she said.
Until this point, she had not realised what Council was actually responsible for, everything from maintaining the water supply to removing rubbish.
“I just didn’t know and I had lived in the community my whole life. I was really disheartened,” she said.
This ignorance started her thinking, especially about how Council communicates its role with the public.
“I have always thought that Local Government has a communication problem out in the local community,” she said.
But she also believes that in a democracy, people’s opinions count and should be heard, even if they are ignorant of Council processes and the laws that bind councillors
She believes that as Mayor she can act as a go-between between the community and Council.
“I believe that with my experience in Local Government through different roles that I am a candidate that can take what people want and need and translate it to the organisation,” she said.
Ms Lindholm said she believed the South Burnett was on the “cusp of greatness”.
“We have some really great people in the South Burnett, some really talented people and we have some really great businesses here,” she said.
However, there were a few things that needed to be put into place to pull it off.
These included improved communication from Council, and improving consultation with residents.
“My core belief is empowering people and connecting them into the functions of Council,” she said.
“I like to keep everyone informed and engaged.”
A way to achieve this could be through digital technology.
“You’re only a click away,” she said.
And she is looking forward to the “new blood” that is likely to be on Council after March 19.
“They will want to change the world and have new ideas, and that’s fantastic,” she said.
Ms Lindholm said her entire professional career to this time had led her to believe she could make good changes as Mayor.
She has stepped aside from her role at Council for her election campaign which officially begins on Friday.
And why is she running for Mayor?
“I am one of the mad people who believe in the community,” she said.
Law! What Law? It’s a Ponzi scheme to remove money from the people. {Print that if you dare}