May 23, 2015
Mayor Wayne Kratzmann announced on Saturday night that he will not re-stand for the position of South Burnett Mayor at the next Council election.
Speaking at the Mayor’s Ball – a major fundraiser for local charities – Mayor Kratzmann thanked his father Keith Kratzmann, family members, Council staff and his fellow Councillors before dropping the bombshell:
“This will be my last Mayor’s Ball. Whoever is the Mayor next year, I hope you continue with this amazing fundraiser.
“It’s time that I simply stood in the shadow of my beautiful wife and I intend to do that for the rest of my life. So have a great night, thank you.”
Compere John Carey then took the microphone after a long round of applause.
“The challenge has been set …”
southburnett.com.au spoke to several councillors after the announcement… a couple were shocked, while one simply didn’t believe it was true.
Footnote: A full account of the Mayor’s Ball will be published at a later date.
- Related article: Some Very Big Shoes To Fill
Congratulations on your achievements Kratzie. 2 of your finer legacies to come – the rail trail and a badly needed treatment plant in Kingaroy. It will be interesting to see who has the courage to step into the most widely and unfairly criticised position in our area.
Has anyone really thought about why Kratzmann has said he won’t run again?
He has not served the community well at all. Rates are far too high. They don’t seem to listen to the community. The council is delusional about Kingaroy.
A private hospital in Kingaroy is only helping a very small part of the now demographics of Kingaroy. Over the last 10 years or so Kingaroy has lost jobs and good people with those jobs.
The CEO abandoned ship and so is Kratzmann. They know that the next Mayor will be left with a rotten apple and a very tough job.
Keith Campbell is not the man either. He has been a part of the downfall of Kingaroy for the last 17 years. It is time for new blood. Maybe Kingaroy needs someone not born, raised and educated in Kingaroy to step up and make changes to turn the town around.
An astute business-minded person who is community-minded and not in it for the fame and glory. Kingaroy has great potential but it is only potential until someone facilitates and embraces the opportunities.
Really James?
Unless you are prepared to run for Mayor and make these changes that you think are so easy, I think you need a good reality check.
Rates are what they are and if you don’t like them – sell up and start renting!
You complain about the money spent on the private hospital followed by a complaint of lost jobs – what do you think is going to happen to the employees if the private hospital closes????
While I’m all for change and progress, personally I’d prefer to see our new Mayor as someone who is local – someone who knows the region and its people.
And in case your wondering, I would myself run for Mayor (there are plenty of changes I’d like to make), however I already work full-time and am raising a young family.
Well said James. The South Burnett is changing along with a slow realization that long term incumbency equates an unhealthy concentration of power in too few hands. The changes needed to progress this shire into the future will not be found in a tired and outdated regimes locked in the past. Mayor Kratzmann and his fellow councillors must step aside and allow the people of this shire to chart a new future. Free to choose a council that truly represents this shire’s diversity in location and occupation, regardless of wealth and states where ordinary people have a voice in a shire that embraces all citizens as equals.
Complete twaddle, Jack. In case you hadn’t noticed, everyone gets a vote every time we have an election.