DIVISION Five Councillor Graham Able has announced his intention to retire from local government, ending a more than 30 year career in politics.
Cr Able was emotional as he spoke in council’s ordinary meeting on Wednesday, saying he had achieved “all I wanted to and more”.
“Today I formally announce that I am retiring at the end of this term,” he said.
“Together with my wife Margie, who is here today, we have had many discussions over the past few months about whether I stay another term or not but I have decided that I want to give Margie, myself and our family a bit of time to enjoy life.
“I do believe in having a bit more quality time with family before I join the six foot down under club.
“It has been a privilege to have served those years for the community of Logan.”
Cr Able, who this morning entered council flanked by community supporters, was first elected to council in 1985 and served as Deputy Mayor between 1997 and 2004 and Mayor between 2006 and 2008.
His decision to retire follows months of speculation about his future, with the councillor dropping several hints about his plans at council meetings throughout the year.
He said he was swayed partly by changes to the electoral boundaries in Logan, which had confirmed for him now was the time to go.
“With the latest redistribution of the city boundaries, I lose three schools – Kingston High, Kingston Primary and Groves Christian College,” he said.
“I also love my beloved Kingston Butter Factory along with the Gould Adams Park Sporting Complex.”
In recent years, the councillor and current chair of council’s Animals and City Standards Committee, has been known for a passionate stance on animal control.
He regaled his audience with a colourful account of the city’s achievements in the area as he reflected on the changes he had seen in Logan during his 30 years on council.
“I remember when I first got elected, this city had very few street lights, footpaths, only two sets of traffic lights and also we had just on 300 parks that one could describe as cow paddocks,” he said.
“Also the city was awash with roaming dogs.
“Back in those days, the dog catchers as we called them, were instructed to go out and pick up roaming dogs, they would come back with truck fulls.
“Today all that has changed. We used to euthanise dogs, where now few dogs are put down and we have a rehoming program for dogs and cats.”
Logan Mayor Pam Parker, who will also retire at next year’s March election, congratulated Councillor Able on his 30 years, saying it would have been “a hard point to get to”.
“We have the best animal control of any other city because you weren’t going to let the city go to the dogs,” she said to laughter.
“You were dogmatic in making sure we had animal control.
“But the one thing I want to acknowledge, and we’ve often had this discussion, you have a genuine heart for the people, thank you.”
Cr Able was thanked for his service with a morning tea following the council meeting.
