YARRIAMBIACK Shire councillors will soon cast their votes to decided who will be the council’s next mayor.
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The council will hold a statutory meeting on Wednesday, November 28 at the council’s chamber in Warracknabeal.
So far only incumbent Mayor Graeme Massey has put his hand up for the top job.
“We had our pre-statutory meeting already; we’ve worked out our order and what we’re going to say,” he said.
“There’s a feeling between us all that this is a successful team and they seem quite happy for (incumbent Deputy Mayor) Helen Ballentine to lead for the next 12 months, if they still want us.”
Cr Ballentine said didn’t wish to comment whether she was running for the role, but she said she was pleased with how the council was running.
Cr Tom Hamilton said he was pleased with the council’s current state.
“We are particularly happy with our new chief executive (Jessie Holmes). We’re also happy with our past mayor, and will be happy with our future one as well, whoever that may be,” he said.
He said he would throw his support behind Cr Massey.
“I think he had served Yarriambiack well in the past and I’m confident he would in the future if re-elected. As Mayor, I feel Graeme is respectful of all option, give residents and councillors a chance to have there say and always represents himself in a non biased way,” he said.
“On top of that he is just a very nice man. Saying that, I only have the upmost respect for my fellow councillors and our ability to work together to achieve our goals.”
Cr Shane Roberts said he had no contentions to contest for either role.
“I think Graeme is going great. We work pretty well as a council and I’m happy with how things are going. I have this philosophy which is if it’s not broken, don’t fix,” he said.
Cr Kylie Zanker said she would not run for either mayor or deputy mayor.
“At this stage in my life I won’t, but maybe sometime in the future that could be an option," she said.
“I have enough on my plate at the moment. I really think Graeme is doing a great job. The whole council works really well together.”
Cr Corrine Heintze said things were running smoothly in the council.
“We haven’t got anybody with any inflated egos; stuff gets done and generally we get on together fairly well,” she said.
She said she wouldn’t be contesting for either position.
“I wouldn’t have the time to do the job justice because I still work a farm and a part-time job. Also being my first time, I have a lot to learn,” she said.
The Wimmera Mail-Times has contacted Cr Jean Wise for comment.
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