Mayor Memeti

By Lia Bichel
AFTER 35 years as a Dandenong resident, and almost five years on council, Red Gum Ward councillor Jim Memeti reached a new milestone by donning the mayoral robes for the first time last week.
Last Thursday night, Cr Memeti defeated Lightwood Ward councillor Yvonne Herring seven votes to three to become the Mayor of the City of Greater Dandenong for the next 12 months.
He has replaced Paperbark Ward councillor Pinar Yesil, who passed on her congratulations and well wishes to her new successor in the City of Greater Dandenong’s top job.
“You are energetic and popular and I am absolutely positive you will do a fantastic job,” she said.
Cr Memeti, who was accompanied at the meeting by his three children and wife Mary, said he was honoured to have been chosen to lead Greater Dandenong Council.
“I am very proud to be able to represent this city,” he said.
“Dandenong is a vibrant city with so much to offer the community. I am very passionate about this city, having lived here most of my life and I really want to see it grow and flourish.
“I look forward to leading this council and working as a team with my fellow councillors in 2010 for the betterment of the whole community.”
“I believe it is really important to work together as a community to get the best possible results for our city.”
Cr Memeti has already set one major goal that he hoped the council would achieve during his mayoral team – an agreement about the establishment of a single municipal building in Greater Dandenong.
“This is something I am incredibly passionate about,” he said.
“I would like to see a decision made on this by the end of my mayoral term.”
Silverleaf Ward councillor Maria Sampey, who voted for Cr Herring, congratulated Cr Memeti but made an appeal to councillors to not base their votes on political parties in future elections.
“Having said that, I know you’ll do a great job,” she said.