AFTER nine successful years on Oberon Council and six years as mayor, Cr Kathy Sajowitz has made the decision to stand down.
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She had initially planned to seek re-election but Cr Sajowitz said her personal circumstances had changed and being on council next term wasn't doable.
"I originally did commit to the community that I'd stand in council again for another term when the elections were in September but since then my personal circumstances have changed and now that's not possible," she said.
"I'm going to have to stand down as a councillor and not re-nominate in December."
She said she made the decision with a heavy heart and she will miss playing a key role in the community.
"I very much have enjoyed the last nine years being on Council. It's been really rewarding and I have enjoyed the role and I'm sorry not to be standing for Council next year because I still think I've got things I can contribute to," Cr Sajowitz said.
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Despite stepping down from her mayoral duties, Cr Sajowitz said she would contribute to her community in a different way.
"As a community member I'm going to apply to join some of council's community committees and I will take a more substantial role in some of the community organisations I belong to and am quite fond of," she said.
"That's the way I'll contribute to my community, if I can't do it in one way, I can certainly do it in another."
Cr Sajowitz said she was grateful for her team at council and was satisfied with some of the projects she had helped happen in the community.
"It's very difficult to say what I've helped happen because I strongly agree that as a council we've achieved things. We got through the amalgamation for a start which was huge for our community and I think it's hugely important for Oberon to carry on and maintain its independence as a stand-alone council," she said.
"We've got a huge infrastructure program happening through grant funding over the last two years and into the future and we've got some other big projects with the sports complex, community hub and a new sewer treatment plan.
"There's lots of things coming up in Oberon's future that are going to require good council decisions and that's only achieved by working as a team."
Cr Sajowitz said council had a community network formed that she was "really proud of".
"I've been a huge advocate for community initiatives my whole way through that's what brought me onto council," she said.
"And that's why I'll still be somehow involved in the community and talking to people. They're my community so why wouldn't I?"