Candidates stand to be counted

By Nathan Johnston
ASTANDING City of Greater Dandenong councillor has dropped out of the council elections just hours before nominations were due to close.
Cr Kevin Walsh’s withdrawal leaves his Noble Park Ward open to the only other candidate, Andrew Russell, the president of the Dandenong Mechanics Institute.
Cr Walsh and Cr Angela Long were the only two councillors to be elected unopposed at the previous vote in 2003.
Cr Long, who has represented the Lyndale Ward since 1997, said she would go about her fourth campaign as normal.
“It doesn’t worry me. Everyone is entitled to nominate, so I have no problems.
“Everyone knows me by now but I’ll be out door knocking as normal while still working as a councillor.”
She will have at least four opponents.
At the time of going to print, James Jones, Sue Walton, James Davis and Vladimir Nagorny had nominated for election in the Lyndale Ward.
The Victorian Electoral Commission’s returning officer for the City of Greater Dandenong said more candidates were likely to nominate in the final hours before nominations closed at 4pm yesterday (Wednesday).
Cr Clare O’Neil from the Springvale South Ward said last week that she will also not seek reelection.
After completing her studies, Cr O’Neil, who became the city’s youngest ever mayor at 23, will seek full time employment.
She said she could not fully commit to the role of a councillor for another term.