Mayoral and other elections

Last Monday (23 September) Councillors voted to elect the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Chairs of the 4 committees. As you all know by now we have a new Mayor and Deputy Mayor and the chairs of committees changed. All in all the results were good and change is certainly not a bad thing. It brings examination of the way things are done and promotes new ideas. So let's keep working together as a team to keep this city vibrant and moving ahead while working on the issues that have to be faced. One strange part of the proceedings the other night was Councillor Docksey's call for the election of Mayor to be by secret ballot. Despite his article in the Border Mail and letter to the editor where he very publicly canvassed his thoughts as to who should be Mayor and Deputy, he then wanted to have a secret ballot. I have been a strong and continuing advocate of openness in council - I was elected by the people of Albury and they have a right to know how I vote and what my reasons are. I moved to have the ballot by open means i.e. show of hands, and was successful in having the motion carried. However during the debate the Mayor at the time, Cr Alice Glachan closed the debate while at least two Councillors had indicated that they still wished to speak about the motion. I sought clarification from the General Manager because our Code of Meeting Practice says "every Councillor has the right to speak once on any motion". There are other clauses that discuss this right but in the end it is the over-riding clause and it was not followed. This was not the first time this had occurred. Every Councillor must be able to speak so that the people of Albury know what the positions of their Councillors are.

Elections

Well this Saturday we have to vote in a very important election and I hope you have all given the matter the serious consideration it deserves. Unlike many people in this wonderful world of ours we have the right and the freedom to vote and select our leaders so use the right and the privilege well. On a less weighty election your local Councillors will get to vote for the Mayor and Deputy on the 23rd September. On this occasion only the 9 elected Councillors get to vote. But already we have had opinion expressed in public about who should be Mayor and Deputy Mayor. Apparently, in Councillor Docksey's eyes I am acceptable for various reasons. I read this in the Border Mail on Saturday! What does this public airing of opinion achieve? No one but Councillors gets to vote so it can't be to influence the voters, or can it? Let's not go down the track of Wangaratta Council with their public spats. OUr Council has functioned well for the last year so let's talk to each other and be open and frank. Deals and backroom stuff should not be the way we work. On this one I would be happy to get some feedback. Let me know what you really think. David