Tara Murray
Jacksons Creek councillor Leigh Johnson has made a late decision not to stand for the upcoming Hume election.
Cr Johnson had planned to stand for a second term but made the call over the weekend that he needed to put his family first.
“I’ve decided to pull the pin,” he said. “I had every intention to run, but I changed my mind at the 11th hour.
“I had a weekend of reflection. I had to check in with my family and work and other commitments before I was nominated.
“I checked in with loved ones and the family made a collective decision.
“My family has made a lot of sacrifices for me, this is a sacrifice for them.”
Cr Johnson said with family members in regional Victoria, some who he hasn’t seen since February, he would look to spend time travelling to see them when things open up.
Cr Johnson, who is a local policeman, said he had thoroughly enjoyed his time on council.
“I’ve been very privileged to be the community’s representative,” he said.
“It’s a wonderful council and I’ve engaged with a lot of good people and set out to do what I wanted to achieve.
“There’s so many good projects, big and small, to mention and it’s hard to pick a favourite.
“I’ll still serve the community, that doesn’t end with me not running for council.”
Cr Johnson said while he wouldn’t stand this time, he didn’t rule out running in the future.
He is the second current Hume councillor to confirm that they wouldn’t be standing for the election.
After 16 years, Cr Geoff Porter, the council’s only three-time mayor, has decided not to stand for election.
Nominations for the election close on Wednesday.
