Parra News 16 November 2021

LOCAL NEWS
JP pushes for comeback
Former Councillor wants to focus on core community issues if elected
NICOLA BARTON
A
former Liberal Parramatta Councillor
will again throw his hat in
the ring for the upcoming Local
Government Election.
Jean-Pierre (JP) Abood served on the
former Parramatta City Council for four
years when he was elected in 2012 to the
then Lachlan Macquarie Ward.
After his term, he did not recontest and
instead nominated for pre-selection to be
the Liberal Party’s 2016 Federal candidate,
however, was unsuccessful.
Mr Abood will now run as an independent
in the Epping Ward against veteran
Councillor Lorraine Wearne and future
Lord Mayor hopeful, Donna Davis.
The father of three said he is ambitious to
get back into the chamber.
“God has given me an opportunity to
serve and I’ve always been about service…
I feel very strongly about helping people,”
he said.
When previously sitting, Mr Abood
introduced the first Homelessness Awareness
Week, as well as contributed to the
upgrades of parks, including Boronia Park
Jean-Pierre Abood is seeking a return to the Council chambers of Parramatta.
and the popular Philip Ruddock water
splash park.
Mr Abood said issues he is particularly
interested in this time around are the
delivery of Epping Pool, activation of
Beecroft and improving traffic congestion.
“The small things for me are a lot more
important and that’s making sure the
neighbourhoods are clean, families are
looked after and residents have access to
adequate services,” he said.
Born and raised in the Parramatta Local
Government Area (LGA), Mr Abood has
lived and worked in and around the region
for his entire life.
He is a home builder, former Director of
Catholic Care Western Sydney and The
Blue Mountains, former Chairman of the
Maronite College of the Holy Family and
volunteers in feeding the homeless.
Mr Abood said despite running as an
independent, he plans to make it known
to voters that he is still a member of the
Liberal Party and holds a strong Liberal
ethos.
“I have been a member of the Liberal
Party for 12 years and I am extremely
proud of that; I am a Liberal through and
through,” he said.
Mr Abood will run ungrouped in the
Epping Ward, however is part of a broader
movement with North Rocks candidates
Georgina Valjak, Bob Dwyer and Rob
Mashford, who are also Liberal members
but forced to run as independents after the
Liberal Party chose not to field candidates
in Parramatta.
Mr Abood said after witnessing the
conflict of the existing chamber, he hopes
the new Council will better work together
for the benefit of the community.
parra news » Tuesday, November 16, 2021
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