TWO weeks ago, almost 49,000 people turned out to vote in an election that brought about a significant change for Wagga.
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On Monday, just nine people will have that power when councillors vote in a mayor and deputy mayor to run the city for the next two years.
Mayor Greg Conkey and deputy mayor Dallas Tout have both expressed a desire to serve another term in their respective roles.
But they are each expected to face competition, with Councillor Vanessa Keenan announcing her candidature for mayor, and Councillor Tim Koschel committing to running for deputy mayor.
Cr Keenan has this week spoken of the honour it would be to be elected Wagga’s first female mayor.
“I have the credentials, experience, capacity and passion to lead this city,” she said in a social media post.
Cr Koschel, in an email sent to his council colleagues on Wednesday night, announced his intention to support Cr Keenan’s bid.
He stated he would “personally like to be involved in history as the first group of councillors in Wagga to be lead (sic) by a female Mayor”.
If that all sounds very civilised, rest assured that behind the scenes things are taking on a different complexion.
There are some councillors determined to oust Cr Conkey from the top job, and it’s creating considerable angst among his supporters.
Council has experienced a period of unrest and councillors and the public alike are getting sick of it.
And so they should be.
Add in now the possibility of a third contender and votes for all three contenders being locked at three each, it could literally come down to pulling a name from a hat.
Is that how the city wants its new mayor to be elected?
Wagga residents demanded better. Wagga residents deserved better. Wagga residents finally got better.
The question each councillor must ask themselves on Monday night, before casting their vote, is what is in the best interests of the people of this city?