Pascoe faces battle

THE mayoral reign of Kerry Pascoe could be in its last week as fellow councillors Wayne Geale and Garry Hiscock weigh up decisions to throw down a challenge in next Wednesday’s election.Of the two potential challengers, Cr Geale has shown the strongest interest in nominating for the top job while Cr Hiscock is still unsure whether or not he has enough support.Rod Kendall, who has long held ambitions of occupying the top job, ruled himself out due to family illness.In reality it is likely to be a two-horse race as it is believed Cr Geale has lobbied enough support to give Cr Pascoe a robust challenge.After six terms as mayor, one prevailing school of thought is that it is time for Cr Pascoe to move aside.Always popular within council ranks however, there are still plenty of votes that will flow to the incumbent, and Yvonne Braid and Lindsay Vidler have been particularly vocal in their support of the mayor.“I’m behind Kerry 200 per cent,” Cr Braid said.“Everybody is well aware of where my loyalty lies.”Cr Vidler said there was “no harder-working mayor”.Despite the loyalty of Cr Pascoe’s troops however, Cr Geale said he’d had long enough at the top of the tree.“I haven’t got anything against anyone but after six years it’s reasonable to move for change,” he said.It was a sentiment shared by Cr Hiscock whose nomination could be crucial.“I’m looking to stand, if I could be fortunate enough but it comes down to support,” Cr Hiscock said.“I’ll know more in the next few days.”A circling challenger leading into the mayoral election is nothing new to Cr Pascoe though, and he remains steadfast in the face of battle.“I’ll be putting my name forward again,” he said.“I’ve had challengers before – we’ll just have to see what happens.”