AN emotional, once-defeated mayoral aspirant Jason Modica says he believes there is “so much potential” in the recently elected group of councillors following his election to become Mildura’s next mayor for the next 12 months.
Cr Modica staved off a late threat by seasoned councillor and seven-time city mayor Glenn Milne, who again challenged for the top post, but failed to rally the numbers for an eighth term.
Cr Modica was voted into office with a margin of seven to two.
The two-time deputy mayor’s elevation to the top job followed a failed bid last year when he was narrowly defeated by former Victoria Police inspector Simon Clemence, five votes to four.
Cr Modica’s deputy will be Helen Healy, who was elected to council by countback in January last year to fill the vacant position on Mildura Council left by Member for Mildura Ali Cupper.
The 2016 Greens federal election hopeful had previously made public her wish for a female to fill at least one of the two leadership positions.
Cr Modica, who contested the 2019 federal election as an independent, last night said that while he was feeling “quite vulnerable at the moment” he was pleased with the result.
“Our role as councillors with all rights and responsibilities starts today and I ask for a commitment to treat each other and other fellow community members equally, showing due respect for their opinions, beliefs and rights of all members of this municipality,” Cr Modica said in his acceptance speech.
“I see so much potential in the elected group and I will work to support all councillors through this term.
“We have an improving gender mix, tremendous depth of experience, raw passion and a flourish of business people who bring an immediacy to any issue at hand.
“We are all central to building a positive, proactive culture encouraging adaptability and realising our region’s potential by drawing on our resilience and our can-do attitude.”
Cr Modica was brought to tears when thanking his parents, sisters, brother, in-laws, partner and children.
“Without the support of these families, and we all have them, it may have taken me a little longer to move beyond talking about change, rather than engaging in change,” he said.
“Thanks for believing in me and my deepest love and gratitude to my family, everyone in the room and the whole community.”
Cr Modica was nominated for mayor by Cr Mark Eckel, seconded by Cr Healy, while Cr Healy was nominated by Cr Cyndi Power and seconded by Cr Jodi Reynolds.
Cr Milne was nominated for the mayoral post by Cr Ian Arney and seconded himself without further support in his failed bid.
Cr Stefano de Pieri supported both councillors Modica and Healy in the leadership positions, while Cr Liam Wood did not support Cr Healy’s nomination as deputy mayor.
The new council will hold its first monthly meeting at 5.30pm on Wednesday, November 25.
