TWO Mildura councillors have confirmed they will contest the mayoral role at next month’s election.
Cr Min Poole and Deputy Mayor Jason Modica intend to challenge for the position at a special council meeting early in November.
Cr Simon Clemence, who would have served a year as mayor in November, declined comment on whether he was seeking a second term.
Achieving the right outcome for the community was a “priority”, according to Cr Glenn Milne, who said he would not contest the position.
Cr Milne, a former long-term mayor, said he hoped Cr Clemence would continue in the role.
“There’s a belief among some of the councillors that it is an easy role that can just be swapped around, but it’s not. It’s a job that needs to be done with sincerity and you need someone to really apply themselves to it,” he said.
“To do that, you need to work for your community by building strong relationships with other councils, government and if you don’t do that or have a mayor continue for at least two terms, no one gets to know that person.”
Cr Anthony Cirillo said he was still yet to make a decision on whether he would stand, while councillors Gavin Sedgmen and Greg Brown confirmed they would not contest the mayoral position.
Cr Poole said a genuine passion for community wellbeing motivated her decision to stand.
Cr Poole, who lives in Ouyen, said she had recently reduced her work hours, which was perfectly timed to run for the role.
“I’ve been wanting this role for the couple of years as deputy mayor or mayor,” she said.
“There’s a saying ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ … I think that definition of community is quite profound.
“I think I would bring such diverse experience to the role. I have lots of community experiences and developed relationships, along with experience in the business sector.”
While Cr Milne was open-minded about Cr Poole becoming mayor, he said passing the baton from one person to another “had to stop”.
“If Cr Clemence is not going to do it, then really Min Poole is the obvious choice. She’s got the experience, has been in council for three years and has a history of working with community groups,” he said.
“But ideally, you need a mayor to serve a couple of terms. You don’t just take on the role to be a one-hit wonder … it takes time to build those relationships.”
It was unknown whether Cr Helen Healy or former mayor Mark Eckel would stand.
