10 August 2017

Local Activist to stand as an Independent for Inner West Council 

Fed up with the State Government’s assault on our local council, John Lozano has announced he will be standing as an Independent for the Leichhardt Ward in the September Council Elections.

John is passionate about democracy and first became a community activist when the NSW Government introduced the two for one business vote for the City of Sydney elections. “The next day, I volunteered to assist Clover get re-elected,” he said. The Community spoke. The Clover Moore Independent team enjoyed a landslide victory.

10 August 2017

Local Activist to stand as an Independent for Inner West Council 

Photo: George Fetting

Fed up with the State Government’s assault on our local council, John Lozano has announced he will be standing as an Independent for the Leichhardt Ward in the September Council Elections.

John is passionate about democracy and first became a community activist when the NSW Government introduced the two for one business vote for the City of Sydney elections. “The next day, I volunteered to assist Clover get re-elected,” he said. The Community spoke. The Clover Moore Independent team enjoyed a landslide victory.

When the Ashfield, Leichhardt and Marrickville councils were merged in May 2016, and an administrator appointed, John was outraged. “If they can’t rig the votes, why not abolish it [Council] altogether? The administrator is an ex-director from the NSW Department of Planning and a consultant on council amalgamations. I was furious!” recalls Lozano.

“I noticed that the WestConnex route just happened to fit perfectly within our new council boundaries. I had enough. I couldn’t remain silent anymore.” 

Ever since the amalgamation John has been voicing concerns at council meetings. Speaking out over council’s inaction and calling out for transparency in negotiations with the State Government. “I’ve tried inducing in the unelected administrator the same passion for our issues we should all expect from our elected representatives,” he said.

John Lozano and Benita Collings at the WestCONnex Lantern Procession, 22 July 2017. Photo: Duncan Baxter

John has been an active speaker and supporter on behalf of numerous anti-WestConnex groups including speaking at the recent NSW Senate Enquiry into Tolls. 

“I’m passionate about democracy, public transport, sustainable development and listening to the community. I am not aligned to any party - a true independent.” 

The Inner West Community is set to undergo substantial changes under the State Government’s urban growth strategy. “Now more than ever, we need strong negotiators who will be passionate advocates for the interest of our community and not representatives of their party’s policies. I am looking to bring greater transparency to our council, reduce political influence and give our community true representation. 

For more information about John and his campaign, see johnlozano.com.au

John Lozano, Independent Candidate

Inner West Council, Leichhardt Ward

0468 384 527

In 2016 on the eve of amalgamation two motions were tabled. One expressing support for Woollahra Council’s legal challenge to their forced merger. The other seeking to join them.

The motions were lost.

“The case for mergers never stacked up. That’s why communities across the inner west did not want to merge, and why I voted in favour of joining other inner-city councils by challenging our proposed merger in the courts,” said one independent councillor. That was John Stamolis, who is now running as an Independent in the Balmain ward.

When council mergers rolled out across NSW two stood out more than others.  

I am passionate about keeping party politics out of our councils. They add no value and there’s simply no place for it. 

Councils are community forums where independent community minded representatives collectively formulate policies for the interest of the community.

Our council was forcibly amalgamated without our say. No councillor with the communities interest at heart would have voted to strip away our autonomy or put up such little resistance. 

I yearn for an independent thinking council where councillors debate over community issues, not espouse political rhetoric. 

We need to start ruffling a few feathers….

Let’s face it, politicians only sit up and listen when they fear for their jobs. And nothing instils fear in them as the possibility of loosing votes. Huge swings and independent candidates elected to our council sends strong messages. It's a very accurate poll, reflecting the mood of the community. And we all know how much they love their polls. Our community has the power to make a difference. 

Your vote on September 9 can start the avalanche…..

My family arrived in Australia with me in tow in the 60’s. Dad and Mum headed off to factories shortly after. They would remain there until retirement.

We lived on Palace St Petersham and I rode the red rattler to Ashfield Boys. Later we moved out Liverpool way.

I left school, did an apprenticeship and worked in the motor trade a few years. The careers advisor said it was the thing to do - if you liked cars.

 I was drawn to music in my teens and ended up playing in bands. It was the 80’s, the music scene was buzzing and there were heaps of pubs about the inner city. Sadly most of them now closed. We released a single, a video and made the independent charts. Looking to repeat that on Sept. 9.

I settled down got married, a mortgage and two kids. For the next 10 years, I worked in community services providing advocacy for people with disabilities and managing childcare programs.

I coached junior football (that's sock-ah to the “uninitiated”), climbing through the ranks to coach NSW State sides. We won 3 championships - c'mon you blues.

I studied and re-trained in Information Technology and have remained in that field ever since. Today I’m a consultant providing IT services to both the public and private sector.

I was lucky enough to return to the inner west 6 years ago. I love its diversity, its vibrancy and that it's ok to have purple and green hair, if you want. “My time”, is spent between coffee at Cornersmith, plays at the New Theatre and foreign film festivals at Palace on Norton.

I love the place to bits and every bit about the place.

So when my community was threatened I stepped forward. Council amalgamations got me started. Toll roads, over development and the gradual and unrelenting erosion of our democratic rights got me hooked. The sprinkling of disingenuous politicians just strengthen my resolve to make a difference.

I reached out to community groups and asked if I could help. I became an advocate. I’ve spoken at council, I’ve spoken in town halls, I’ve spoken at rallies and even in the NSW Senate.  

I’m local and boy am I vocal.

John Lozano of Haberfield made an impassioned appeal to the Mr Pearson, that he act on the issue of WestConnex or resign as Administrator. “Barely six weeks ago I stood here and cautiously welcomed your comments. ‘This council opposes WestConnex in the strongest possible terms’. I thought we had a champion in our midst...

“Since then I have asked, what have you done? Today I ask that same question, but it’s rhetorical. Your replies have been skimpish at best and you don’t even record comments in your minutes.”