GRANTON’S Peter Binny has congratulated Michelle Dracoulis on being re-elected as mayor of the Derwent Valley Council. While the result has not been publicly declared at the time of writing, Mr Binny said his scrutineer had reported a convincing victory for Ms Dracoulis, of New Norfolk, who has been mayor since a by-election earlier this year.
Mr Binny said he had been told that Ms Dracoulis had received roughly 3700 votes, compared to his own tally of about 1300 votes and about 1200 for Phillip Bingley. He said he had contacted Ms Dracoulis to congratulate her on the result as well as posting a similar message on Facebook.
Cr Dracoulis has thanked the electors for their confidence and support. “There is work to be done, and I am excited to have the opportunity to continue in my role as our community leader and advocate,” Cr Dracoulis told New Norfolk and Derwent Valley News.
“We are living in an exciting and sometimes challenging time of growth and change. Our response to this change must be carefully managed to ensure that our regional identity is recognised, maintained and celebrated. The wellbeing of our community is at the heart of my every action, and I look forward to chairing a council that is connected, responsive, respectful and forward-thinking,” she said.
Official results will be published here as they become available.
Cr Dracoulis must next be elected as a councillor to be able to take up the position of mayor. Her strong personal vote in the February by-election and the current mayoral election suggests that is the likely outcome. Local councillor votes are not expected to be known until tomorrow at the earliest, although early results for some councils have been published, including Sorell, where former Derwent Valley mayor Ben Shaw is a candidate for councillor but the Tasmanian Electoral Commission’s prediction (based on 20% of the vote having been counted) is that he will not be elected.
3 Comments
And here we go again.
The mayor-elect has run a campaign supporting and endorsing her mates. Is it good for the community? No. Liberal vs Labor.
The mayor-elect was notified in writing of breaches of laws of local government candidates she endorsed. She was also notified in writing of major breaches of laws of her opponents.
The community are the losers.
I never have before considered moving to a different area because of political issues but this council has the potential to be broke within a few years.
You can pop on a frock and some lipstick but the outcome will be the same. Dysfunction and disunity.
LEAH BYERS
NEW NORFOLK
I am glad to see the Mayor supporting the members of the group formerly known as The Friends of Willow Court. That a businessman wanting a seat council would register a business under the name used widely by the community for more than a decade surprises me.
Well this is excellent news for the valley. I’m so happy.