Dear Residents:

My name is Jason Potts and I have nominated as a candidate for our Merton Ward for the 2008 Latrobe City Council postal elections.

My family first came to Gippsland in 1936.  I grew up in the Latrobe Valley, left as a teenager and returned with my wife and four children making Latrobe City our choice of home.  My children attend school in the Merton Ward and my oldest daughter works in Newborough.  Since returning to this community I have served in a variety of community roles including President of Lowanna College Council where I have served for the past 3 years.  I am a graduate of the Gippsland Community Leadership Program and a Justice of the Peace.

If elected to council my priority will be to support decisions and planning that cultivate the community aspirations as identified through extensive community research and outlined in the Latrobe City 2021 Strategic Plan:

• A safe environment for children;

• Good schools;

• Good public transport;

• Secure, satisfying, fairly paid jobs;

• Young people valued and having secure future prospects in Latrobe City;

• Freedom from crime and violence;

• Respect for the environment and a clean, green, environment;

• Respect for different lifestyles;

• Care for the disadvantaged;

• Fit and healthy people.

If you feel your concerns have not been addressed in this research I would welcome any comments or questions from you or community groups you may represent.

Our region is the gateway to many enjoyable outdoor activities such as, camping, bush walking, fishing, water skiing, the snow, four wheel driving and motor bike riding.  Only 1 hour from the outskirts of Melbourne, 20 minutes from the mountains and 1.5 hours to the beach we have an exciting opportunity to prosper from tourism and grow as a community.  I love this community and will work actively to both protect what we have and promote our potential.

Yours faithfully, 

Jason HL Potts JP