Green light for Brown, at last

By Shaun Inguanzo
A MAYORAL drought has passed this week for Greater Dandenong councillor Peter Brown, as fellow long-serving councillor John Kelly was left to deal with the familiar taste of disappointment.
The newly-elected Greater Dandenong council this week chose Keysborough South Ward’s Cr Brown as its new mayor, while Dandenong North Ward’s Cr John Kelly lost the race for mayoral honours for the 12th year running.
It is the first time Cr Brown has been mayor in nine years of service to Greater Dandenong.
The disappointment comes as outgoing Springvale North Ward councillor Naim Melhem last Sunday urged the new council to vote in Cr Kelly after his long service without mayoral honours.
But instead the new council voted Cr Brown as its new mayor, with eight in support, and just two supporting Cr Kelly.
According to Cr Brown, an 11th ballot paper was left blank.
Cr Kelly said the loss was disappointing for his ward as well as himself.
“It is one of the things as a councillor you like to strive for,” he said.
“It would be nice for the people of Dandenong North Ward who I have represented over the years to have the option of someone representing them not only as a councillor, but mayor of the city.”
Mr Melhem this week said he was disappointed that Cr Kelly would not be the next mayor, and said he felt the decision to snub the Liberal-leaning councillor was a political game played by Labor-inclined councillors.
Cr Brown dismissed the claims and said Mr Melhem’s comments were a symptom of his election loss, adding that he could relate to Mr Melhem’s position.
“I lost an election in about 1991 at the Springvale council,” he said.
“I spat the dummy at the time, and with the benefit of hindsight I would not have done that.
“Perhaps (Mr Melhem) might take the same view in years to come.”
Cr Brown said he felt for Cr Kelly.
“I understand how he feels; I’ve experienced as many knock backs as him.
“But this time I wasn’t knocked back.”
Cr Brown said he had approached all councillors before setting his mayoral goals, to be announced this Thursday evening.
“The goals being put forward won’t be Peter Brown’s goals, they will be collective goals of the elected councillors.
“I asked each councillor what their own goals and visions were for the next three years, so it will be a collective view I am putting forward on Thursday night.”