Former outspoken Cessnock councillor Ian Olsen says the community should accept the proposed almost 40 per cent rate increase, warning it may be the only way to prevent the council from being placed into administration after more than a decade of Labor-led councils under former mayors Bob Pynsant and Jay Suvaal. Olsen argued that the worst possible outcome for the Cessnock Local Government Area would be the dismissal of all councillors and the appointment of an administrator. “Once an administrator comes in, the people lose their voice,” Olsen said, warning that administration could also lead to the sale of council assets and...