IT'S back to the future and straight to work for Tony McGrady who romped in as Mayor of Mount Isa on Saturday night with almost 50 per cent of the votes.
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He said he was launching straight into work today.
"I'm meeting with the chief executive officer (of the council) in the morning and discussing my plans with him.
"The first thing I want the CEO to do is to call a meeting with (phosphate plant developers) Legend and the State Government as a matter of urgency."
Mr McGrady said there were 420 jobs pending with Legend, and he wanted those for Mount Isa.
"As a leader you can't hang around and wait for things to happen," he said.
The second thing he said he planned to do was get his new council to organise a large banner for the city's Civic Centre, saying the city was back in business.
"It's important to get confidence back into the city," he said.
"The Mayor and this council means business, and this council will lift the city.
"That starts from day one, today."
He said he would run through his vision with the CEO and where he believed changes needed to be made.
"My job as a leader is to help the council to work together. "There is no room and no space for petty political differences." Although both he and his wife Sandra are life members of the ALP, he said that would never colour his views on local politics.
"I am recognised as someone who can work with anyone.
"Party politics don't really come into it."
Leadership would be the most important issue over the next four years, he said.
"The mayor has got to be able to go to Brisbane to discuss issues with State Government.
"I can walk the corridors of power."
Mr McGrady said he would work with "young Katter" (newly-elected Member for Mount Isa Robbie Katter).
Mr McGrady's election is his second visit to the well of local government.
He was elected Mayor of Mount Isa in 1985 and won again in 1988 with 78 per cent of the vote. He then stood for the seat of Mount Isa and won that in 1990, after which he stood down as mayor.
"It's a bit daunting this time around; the expectations are so much greater this time and the city has gone backwards over the past four years," Mr McGrady said at his home yesterday.
He said he was disappointed more of his Advance Mount Isa team did not get into council.
"The people of Mount Isa have made this decision and as a democrat you accept the decision.
"The people are always right."
He said he would harness the talents of the six people elected to council to form a team.
"There is a saying, 'Once the votes have been counted you work as a team'," he said.
He believed the former council had been roundly punished.
"The people of Mount Isa are sick and tired of the stupid negative nonsense.
"Council wasn't meeting the needs and wishes of the people."
He said he favoured an open door policy and was looking at going back to his old office in the city council "where you walked in straight off the street".
"You can't have a barrier between the public and the mayor," said Mr McGrady.
For Sandra McGrady there is one big difference between being Mayoress of the city in 2012 and in 1985. Then, 27 years ago, she had two small children.
"I've done it before but I have a lot more time now," she said at her home yesterday morning.
"I have always done everything I can to support Tony.
