Me for mayor!

By Shaun Inguanzo
GREATER Dandenong residents should vote for their mayor to avoid dominant political parties engineering the decision.
That’s the opinion of frustrated Dandenong North Ward councillor John Kelly who after 13 years of service to Greater Dandenong and former City of Dandenong councils, is still yet to be bestowed with the honour of city mayor.
Mayoral elections will be held this Monday, 27 November, and rumours floating around the council chambers suggest that Springvale Central Ward councillor Youhorn Chea will be voted mayor.
Cr Kelly, who is a member of the Liberal Party, is a minority on a council dominated by Labor Party members, including incumbent mayor Peter Brown and previous mayor Maria Sampey.
Cr Kelly said he was certain the political divide was what was stopping him from becoming mayor.
But he said residents were growing frustrated with the political games.
“There aren’t too many Liberal people living in Dandenong so, in particular, I hear from people from a Labor Party background – which I come from – that they are just amazed at the way these councillors vote like sheep,” he said.
Cr Kelly said it was time residents had an opportunity to vote for their mayor to cancel out any political interference.
“I suppose it may be prudent in time that the people have the choice of not only voting in councillors but also their mayor,” he said.
“Regardless if it’s me or not, at least it is the peoples’ choice and not a political choice.”
Cr Kelly said he will renominate for mayor and will battle for his colleagues’ votes against Keysborough South Ward councillor and current mayor Peter Brown, who has put his hand up for a second term donning the robes. Cr Brown said he wanted to retain mayoral duties to follow through with his concerns over the cost of new council buildings in both Springvale and Dandenong.
“I don’t see that a change of mayor would facilitate the work that needs to be done,” Cr Brown said.
“Without sounding arrogant, I believe the views I have been expressing reflect the majority of views held by residents in Springvale and Dandenong in regard to the affordability of such projects.
“In the position of mayor you do have the ability to lead on issues like that.”
He said his nomination could steal votes away from rumoured favourite Cr Chea.
“No one’s past the post yet,” he said.
“I think if I voted for Youhorn he would be over the line but by me standing for mayor, that compromises his chance of success.”