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 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.
Troy Dodds is Parra News' Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.