By LIAM DURKIN
WHO would have thought two of the tightest elections would be taking place 16,000km apart.
While the race to the White House should be decided this week, the full make-up of just who will serve on the next Latrobe City Council is still to be determined.
As they say, all good things must come to an end, and the end could be in sight for long time councillors Kellie O’Callaghan and Graeme Middlemiss.
Cr O’Callaghan trailed challenger David Barnes in the Boola Boola Ward by nearly 10 per cent when the Express visited the Victorian Electoral Commission office in Moe to check progressive votes last Saturday.
At time of print, Cr Middlemiss held a less than half-percent lead over Steph Morgan for the Yallourn Ward, in what is shaping as a classic vote between old and new.
Current Mayor Darren Howe is also no lay down misère, holding a 53.15 to 46.85 lead over David Little for the Tyers Ward.
Of the nine council vacancies, six (including Boola Boola) are all but secure, while another is already guaranteed.
Current West Ward councillor Sharon Gibson has the guaranteed seat, having ran unopposed for the Newborough Ward.
Her council colleagues Dale Harriman and Tracie Lund have attracted more than 50 per cent of the vote for the Loy Yang and Morwell River ward respectively.
Joining them for the next four years will be Adele Pugsley, who has garnered more than 60 per cent of the vote in a two-horse race for the Moe Ward.
Leanne Potter is also on the next council, having attracted nearly 70 per cent of the vote in the Budgeree Ward running against current councillor Melissa Ferguson.
Ms Potter may feel vindicated having won the rematch, after narrowly losing to Cr Ferguson last time around. Cr Ferguson had initially stepped down from local politics, before making a last-ditch effort to run again.
Voting closed last month, with official declaration ceremonies to be held from tomorrow (Thursday, November 7 to Friday, November 15).
