By LIAM DURKIN
GUESS who’s back, back again.
Latrobe City Councillor Dale Harriman will sit in the big boy’s chair at council meetings for the next 12 months, after winning the mayoral election from incumbent Cr Darren Howe.
Cr Harriman won five votes to four.
Crs Sharon Gibson, Adele Puglsey, David Barnes and Joanne Campbell (as well as Cr Harriman) voted for Cr Harriman.
Crs Steph Morgan, Tracie Lund, Leanne Potter (and Cr Howe) voted for Cr Howe at the Monday, November 25 vote.
Cr Howe was seeking a successive 12-month term, but the result now means Cr Harriman will serve a second term as mayor.
Cr Harriman has been on Latrobe City Council since 2008, and was mayor from November 2014 to November 2015.
The new mayor will have a fellow long-serving councillor as his deputy, with Cr Gibson elected 5-4 ahead of Cr Lund.
Cr Gibson has also been on council since 2008, and served twice as mayor.
If body language is any indication, Cr Gibson was rather chuffed once it became clear she had the numbers.
The colourful and sometimes esoteric councillor has endured a fairly tumultuous year that included a campaign trail, major hip surgery and even a visit from police. To now be deputy mayor could leave her feeling personally justified.
The result means the two most experienced Latrobe City councillors are now mayor and deputy mayor.
Sweeping changes were seen on Latrobe City Council when votes were declared after last month’s election, which saw veteran councillors Graeme Middlemiss (who served nearly 30 years), and Kellie O’Callaghan both lose their positions.
In his acceptance speech, Cr Harriman acknowledged the challenges these changes would bring, but said it was an equally exciting time as a new era dawned.
“It’s great that we have so many new councillors on this council, it’s great to see a refresh,” he said.
“I know this is going to be a difficult time for council and I appreciate the effort the councillors have already put in, the time they have put in learning how to operate as a council, we have four experienced councillors in Cr Howe, Cr Lund, Cr Gibson and myself.
“To the community, moving forward, this is going to be your new council. The community voted and put in five new councillors. The community voted for a change, and I’m sure that’s what we are going to see.
“The community is at the forefront of everything we are going to do, and the nine people sitting up here have the community at their heart and their best interest, and I can guarantee you that will continue for the next four years.”
In a show of good faith, there did not seem to be any hard feelings between the mayor and the man who was ousted in his place, with Cr Harriman and Cr Howe shaking hands upon the result.
Given this was the first council meeting for the new council, close observers may have already picked up on a few insights from their new councillors.
Boola Boola Ward Cr Barnes appears to be a no-nonsense operator, and was rather succinct when speaking, perhaps a reflection from with his time running the Glengarry Pub.
ELSEWHERE, Baw Baw Shire is on the search for a new chief executive, after Mark Dupe tendered his resignation.
Mr Dupe, who commenced his role in March 2020, has announced his decision to resign at the end of the year.
Mr Dupe said it had been an honour to lead the organisation, and thanked the staff and the wider community for their continued support.
Mr Dupe will remain in his position until the end of the year, ensuring a smooth transition for the organisation and the incoming councillor group.
Mr Dupe’s last day leading the organisation will be Christmas Eve.
An interim chief executive will be appointed until a full time replacement is found.
Mr Dupe has advised he is not seeking another chief executive role, as he commences a new phase of his working life in a new location.
