THE RUMOUR mill is spitting out a Melbourne Cup field of potential mayoral and councillor candidates, but at this stage it seems to be a “no” horse race for the region's top political jobs, with some of our hottest tips rejecting suggestions of political aspirations.

The next council election, to be held mid-March 2012, will be the second full election since the amalgamation of Warwick and Stanthorpe shires.

Newcomers

CR Jo McNally was the surprise winner in last year's by-election.

The newcomer seemed to come from nowhere and pipped the favourite, Trevor Cooper.

While the other eight elected representatives have all served previous terms, Cr McNally proved the public would accept some fresh blood in council.

Bank of Queensland owner/manager Gary Kelly's name has been bandied about on more than one occasion, but with a young family, Mr Kelly told the Daily News 2012 wouldn't be his year to run for council.

“I have a young family and a young business that get all of my time,” he said.

“There are plenty of other people out there who have the time to put into the job.”

Economic development officer and former Warwick Chamber of Commerce president John Randall was hot on everyone's lips as a potential mayoral candidate earlier this year, but since resigning from his chamber role he said the election was not on his radar at the moment.

“I've got my job in council, which takes my full focus, and the election's a long time away,” he said.

“It's not on my radar at the moment. My role is getting more interesting at the minute with the new economic development strategy, and there are a lot of goals to score there.”

According to Ross and Donna Fraser, their family name is often thrown into the ring come election time, but Mr Fraser said he wasn't considering raising his hand.

Comeback kids

There were several casualties in the amalgamation election, and the suggestion is some may try their luck again, but for former mayoral candidate Trevor Cooper the Southern Downs will be firmly in the past.

Mr Cooper plans to leave the Granite Belt and move to New South Wales.

He is still bitter about the loss of local representation as the State Government continues to take power and amalgamate smaller councils.

“Local government has been so hamstrung, they can't represent the people they are elected to represent.

"It's an Australia-wide issue,” Mr Cooper said.

Despite being approached by a few people, ex-Warwick councillor Gary Hayes won't be a candidate in 2012.

“I'm interested in local politics, but I'm not in a position to run for council,” he said.

“I maintain a keen interest in politics and what goes on and try to progress the community.

“Hopefully whoever gets elected will make a good team.

“It's not an easy job and I hope those that are elected realise that.”

Current crew

CR Vic Pennisi had no hesitation in confirming his plans to run again as a councillor.

“The community invests a lot of money to train a councillor,” he said.

“I won't ever say I won't run for mayor but it won't be this time.”

While last year's budget was pitched as “the toughest one yet”, things look set to get tighter this year, Cr Ross Bartley said.

With huge damage to infrastructure due to flooding, and with state and federal governments also cash-strapped, he anticipates serious belt tightening.

Nevertheless, Cr Bartley believes he still has a role serving the community.

“The community has a significant investment in me and I owe them something,” he said.

“I'll look at serving again if the community wants me.”

Mayor Ron Bellingham wasn't ready to announce a decision on his future yet and said he would let the community and council know at an “appropriate time”.

Another favourite to take a shot at the top job, Deputy Mayor Peter Blundell, said he wouldn't announce yet whether he would seek re-election.

“There is a lot of work to do in that 12 months and we have to make the best decisions for the whole region,” he said.

“It won't be until considerably closer to the election before I make any announcement either way.”

Cr Neil Meiklejohn, tipped as a potential mayoral contender, said he planned to run as a councillor again in 2012.

Crs Mally McMurtrie and Denise Ingram said they hadn't made up their minds.