John Horton.
John Horton was elected to Harden Council at the 2012 election. John was elected Mayor in 2014 and reappointed in September 2015 John lived for 70 years mostly in the Canberra region, before retiring to Harden in 2009.
He entered local Government after a long and successful career in large corporate organisations. John served as New South Wales, ACT and Western Australia State Manager for American Express over a number of years. He was also New South Wales State Manager for Beecham Research Laboratories, an international pharmaceutical company.
The years as Mayor of Harden were particularly challenging times to lead a local Government organisation, with the challenges of the NSW Government’s local Government reform agenda, creating enormous emotion in regional NSW.
Whilst on Council John was pleased to see many goals achieved or initiated by Council and residents. The following are just some: *Harden and Murrumburrah Street Scape beautification completed.
* Re-opening of Hydrotherapy pool. * Kruger Medical Centre growing from two Doctors to five full-time doctors, with the Centre open seven days a week. There shall be six doctors before years end! * Jackson’s and Barne’s establishments became bigger offering additional services. * Hard Rock Gym became a reality. * Swimming pool offered more user-friendly operating hours. * Grain terminal at Cunningar due to be operational for this year’s grain harvest. * Rural Fire Headquarters to relocate to Harden racecourse. * Hilton and Alison’s Motel updated and a new extension added– very impressive –. * Hugh and Prue’s Garden Nursery modernised and enlarged. * Several new shops opened in Murrumburrah and Harden. * Jugiong Hotel reopened and modernised * New ambulance station to open October 2017. * New hospital is getting closer. * Skate park became a reality -Thanks to Cathy and Matt. * Updated and extended library – Great Manager is Sharon – AND SO THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.
John says new Councillors elected from the former Harden Shire shall have a big job in making the amalgamation work, must have excellent negotiating skills and the capacity to work in a friendly manner with other Councillors, in order to achieve excellent results and ensure a fair go for all.
