Hawkesbury Mayor Resigns
Hawkesbury Mayor Clr Patrick Conolly resigned on Thursday (11th August).
He issued a public statement late on Thursday afternoon after advising Hawkesbury City Council’s General Manager and fellow councillors.
He said: “As many people in our community are aware, my family were recently the victims of a violent home invasion and unfortunately this event has had a significant impact on our lives over the last few months.
“After attempting to balance these competing demands, my priority clearly needs to be my family, to ensure my children recover from this trauma, and to look after my own mental health as well.
“In the short term, I cannot continue to properly represent the community and fulfil my more important roles as a father and husband.
“To come to this conclusion is deeply disappointing for me, as representing our community as Mayor has been an immense privilege that I have enjoyed despite the challenges we have been through over the last 2 years. I hope to have the opportunity to serve as a representative of our community again in the future.
“I have been so grateful for the concern and support the community has shown me and trust that this decision will be met with the same understanding.”
The home invasion at the 32-year-old Mayor’s Bligh Park home occurred at around 12.45am on Monday 16th May, Several men forced their way into the home and the Mayor was stabbed in the arm.
His wife and four children who were home at the time were not injured but were badly shaken by the incident. The intruders then drove from the scene in the family’s white Skoda, taking a few personal items from the home. Last month four youths, a 16-year-old, two 17-year-olds and an 18-year-old were charged.
In the three months since the incident Cr Conolly has attended to his Mayoral duties including numerous Local Government Week activities such as the recent opening of the upgraded play area at South Windsor Park on 2nd August at the corner of Mileham and Drummond St and the Local Business Awards.
Clr Conolly, an accountant by profession, said he would continue to serve as a Councillor on Hawkesbury City Council. There will be an extraordinary meeting held on Tuesday, 23rd August 2022 to deal with the election of a new Mayor. Deputy Mayor is Councillor Barry Calvert.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][us_image image=”68772″ size=”full” align=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
