By Casey Neill
COUNCILLOR Heang Tak has emerged from a 10-day storm of controversy wearing the Greater Dandenong mayoral robes.
He received seven votes to Cr Peter Brown’s four in the final vote for the coveted role at the annual statutory council meeting on Thursday 5 November.
Cr Brown at the 26 October council meeting announced plans to lodge complaints against Crs Tak and Youhorn Chea with the Local Government Investigations and Compliance Inspectorate, alleging misconduct.
“It’s played out as it’s played out,” Cr Brown said after the mayoral vote.
He said the outcome would have been the same regardless of his accusations.
Cr Brown was the only one of Cr Tak’s peers who did not applaud his victory, insteaed sitting cross-armed and red-faced.
He told the Journal he had misgivings about the appointment.
Cr Tak declined to comment on the pending investigation, intead focusing on the busy year ahead.
His heavily-pregnant wife Manette was absent from the meeting, due to give birth to their second child at any time.
The new arrival will join Lawson, almost two, but Cr Tak said juggling family, work and council commitments won’t be a problem.
“We do have a plan – extended family,” he said.
“My parents and my parents in law have volunteered.”
Cr Tak said it was “a privilege to be mayor for this multicultural city”.
“More than 50 per cent of our residents were born overseas and I’m one of them,” he said.
The Cambodian-born lawyer has called Greater Dandenong home for more than 19 years and was elected to council in 2012.
“I am very proud to lead this city. I love this city,” he said.
He said he had connected with people from all walks of life during his time on council and would do his best to represent each and every one of them.
Cr Tak said he was looking forward to the Tatterson Park upgrade, continuing the Springvale Civic Space masterplanning and Springvale steetscape imporvements.
“I know that the year won’t be without its challenges,” he said, highlighting impending rate-capping.
Outgoing mayor Sean O’Reilly said his door was always open to Cr Tak.
He thanked the council team that supported him during his term and his family for understanding his physical and mental absences.
“I was always thinking about what was coming up next,” he said.
“It was quite hard to switch off.”
Cr O’Reilly said his highlights from the past year were opening the Ross Reserve Skate Park, Springvale level crossing removal project and the Springvale Asian Gateway and naming Harmony Square.
“There are many things still to be done that we can achieve as a united group,” he said.
Cr Roz Blades nominated Cr Tak for the mayoral role and Cr Chea seconded the motion.
Cr Matthew Kirwan nominated Cr Brown with support from Cr Maria Sampey, Cr Loi Truong nominated himlself with Cr Angela Long as seconder, while Cr John Kelly put his hand up with Cr Brown his seconder.
A candidate was eliminated through a show of hands until one had a clear majority.
Crs Truong, Sampey and Kirwan voted for Cr Brown while Cr Tak had the support of Crs Chea, Memeti, Tak, Blades, Long, Kelly and O’Reilly.
“It’s fantastic to see a full chamber and people taking interest in their city and the democratic process,” Cr Kirwan said.
