By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
EDRINGTON Ward councillor Mick Morland appears to be the only candidate throwing his hat in the ring to become the next Casey mayor.
At the time of publication, the Journal understood Cr Morland to be the only candidate nominating to take over the position from Cr Geoff Ablett, with the election of the new mayor due to take place at 5.30pm today (Monday).
Fellow councillors Louise Berkelmans and Rosalie Crestani confirmed they would nominate for deputy mayor.
Cr Morland, who was mayor of the City of Casey in 2001 and 2002, said he believed he was the only councillor applying for the leadership role.
“I believe that I have the time and the commitment and energy to do the job,” he said.
“The mayor is just the figurehead of the council.
“I believe I can add a little bit but I believe any of the 11 councillors would do equally as good a job as I can do.
“But I don’t know of everyone else putting their hand up, I believe I am the only one.”
Cr Morland said if only one person applied for the mayoral position, there would be no vote.
Cr Crestani said she had decided to put up her hand for deputy mayor roughly three months ago, despite also running as the number-two candidate for Danny Nalliah’s Rise Up Australia party in next month’s state election.
The Four Oaks Ward councillor defended her decision to run for both positions.
“I hope I can get in at the state election but my chances are less because I’m part of a minor party,” she said.
“However, if I do get elected into parliament, I would graciously step down if I was elected as deputy mayor.”
Cr Crestani said her decision to run for deputy mayor was made in order for her to extend her service to the Casey community.
“I’ve made an effort ever since I joined council to turn up to everything I can, to represent the community on as many fronts as I can,” she said
“From the moment I joined council I took that responsibility.
“I really seek to understand the community needs and I’m applying for deputy mayor as an extension of that.”
Cr Berkelmans said she’d been encouraged to apply for the deputy role but first sought the approval of her family.
“The comment had been made for a couple of months – ‘Louise, you’d make a good deputy mayor’,” she said.
“I consulted with my husband to see if it was feasible, I asked for his support and he said ‘go for it’.”
The Springfield Ward councillor said she would act as a “voice” for the City of Casey if successful in her bid.
“It’s being the voice of the City of Casey and presenting it well,” she said.
“It’s being a good voice for the public and the residents, helping the mayor.
“I’d be honoured to represent Casey as deputy mayor, I love living here.
“Whoever gets the job would be good for the city.”
See Wednesday’s Pakenham-Berwick Gazette or go online to the Journal News website to find out who will wear Casey’s mayoral robes.
