BUSINESSMAN Peter Rogers has dismissed rumours that he planning on running for Bathurst Regional Council in September.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Some people have questioned his motives in recent months as he's embarked on a very public campaign to better promote Bathurst as a destination.
This has included funding a rollout of 'Explore Bathurst' signs and brochures, and calling on council to do more to attract visitors.
While he doesn't deny that it looks suspicious, Mr Rogers told the Western Advocate he has no intention of being a candidate in the next election.
"No, I'm not running for council," he said, adding that he hasn't even considered it.
"... I'm not going to do it, I'm not putting my hand up for that, I can guarantee it. I've even got bets on with people, because some people don't believe me and say 'I bet you will'."
His goal is to promote Bathurst and he thinks he wouldn't be able to focus on that if he were to be elected to council.
"My main thing is to promote Bathurst, right, that's all I'm about," Mr Rogers said.
"There's no political ambition of mine, or nothing like that, I just want to really get Bathurst humming and promote it, and I think I can do more that way than being caught up in other issues that take your time and energy away from that main focus.
"And I think not having the restrictions of council allows me to do that in a much better way as well."
ALSO MAKING NEWS: Tasty treats and a few surprises on café's new high tea menu
However, that doesn't mean he won't be following the election campaigns of other residents very closely.
He will be looking for people who are committed to Bathurst and asking lots of questions in regards to their plans for tourism and promotion, feeling it is a key election issue.
"I'm not beholding to anyone, I'm obviously judging the councillors that we have at the moment to see where they are on promotion of the city and I'll also be then seeing who else runs for council," Mr Rogers said.
"My word, I'll be taking an interest in that, as should everyone."
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark www.westernadvocate.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News