Glamorgan Spring Bay Council's new mayor Robert Young was a lawyer for more than 45 years before he took up the gig and is hoping the council can turn over a new leaf looking forward.
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Mr Young has been retired from law for several years and was enjoying retirement before he shifted his focus towards local government.
"I gained expertise essential to effective operation of councils, businesses, finance, legal compliance, planning and good governance, through my experience as a lawyer," he said.
"As a volunteer I've supported the disadvantaged in the community. I was president of the Royal Guide Dogs for the Blind Association of Tasmania, and a board member of other charities for many years, including the Royal Tasmanian Society for the Blind and Deaf, which no longer exists."
Himself and his wife, Cecilia, have lived on their Sandy Lagoon property, near Orford, for the last 44 years.
"We love the East Coast, for its small communities and beautiful environment.
"I want to protect the municipality, as it's a pleasant and special place in which to live and visit," he said.
"Local government is always close to the individuals who live in the area ... and it's not everyone that happens to know their state or federal government member, whereas local government, you get to know the member, and they have a direct influence on the way the communities run."
Mr Young was elected as both a councillor and mayor earlier this month at a byelection, after former mayor and councillor Debby Wisby resigned.
He had previously run for a spot on the council in a prior election and was unsuccessful, but this time around he got across the line after preferences with 50.57 per cent of the vote.
The council has faced multiple controversies this year, culminating in it being issued a performance improvement directive by the Local Government Minister for failing to comply with the Local Government Act.
The newly elected mayor is hoping the council will be able to turn over a new leaf going forward.
"There has been some controversy about the council and well I'd like that controversy to go. We seem to be a reasonably harmonious group, not everyone thinks the same way," Mr Young said.
"What I'm interested in is residents and ratepayers coming first, listening and consulting and communicating with the population in Glamorgan Spring Bay, developing core services, the sort of things that I think of are maintaining roads and access to good health care, supporting local jobs, the tourism industry and appropriate development.
"And something that has been a bit contentious in the past is ensuring the finances are sound and well managed."