Numbers up for Herring?

By Nicole Williams
PARTY politics could stop one Greater Dandenong councillor from running for the position of mayor, after dedicating 12 years to the municipality.
Councillor Yvonne Herring, who is an Independent, said she is considering nominating herself for mayor despite being pushed out of the running by Labor-leaning councillors for the past eight years.
“I may nominate but I won’t have the numbers because the Labor councillors are frightened of the local MPs,” she said.
Cr John Kelly said he would support Cr Herring for mayor at Monday night’s mayoral election.
“I’d like to see Yvonne Herring get a chance after 12-odd years as a councillor,” he said.
“I think she may not stand again and it would be a pity to see someone who has put a lot of hard work into her ward and council miss out. She should have a chance.”
Councillors Paul Donovan, Angela Long, Youhorn Chea and Peter Brown are also believed to be running for the top job.
Last year’s mayor, Jim Memeti, said all nominees were strong candidates.
“We’ll go through the process as it happens and in the end it is up to the individuals,” Cr Memeti said.
“All candidates will probably be able to do it full time as we need a full-time mayor.
“We have a large community with a lot of community groups but with the hard work, it’s a very rewarding job.”