By Karen Poh
MELTON mayor Justin Mammarella has confirmed he will not stand for a second term in the 7 December mayoral ballot.
“I don’t have the intention of running again. I think the things I’ve implemented in my term as mayor can be further assisted by me as a councillor,” he said.
But Cr Mammarella revealed that Cochrane Ward councillor Bruce Rowan was likely to run for Melton Shire’s highest elected post. He has never donned the mayoral robes.
“There has been one councillor who has indicated strongly that he wants to run – Bruce Rowan. He’s approached me for support, and I think he would be a good mayor,” Cr Mammarella said.
“Cr Rowan has proven to me time and time again his commitment to the residents of Melton,” he said.
Former mayor Garry Stock has indicated he will not stand.
Deputy mayor Cr Renata Cugliari said she had been “thinking about it”.
But family priorities “are the questions that are in my head right now. I’ve always said to my husband that when I entered council my family would come first. My kids are four and two, and it’s been a lot of juggling this year,” she said.
“My two little ones are just precious and I don’t want to miss that. I really want to be a little bit more involved with them.” Her role as deputy mayor had given her a first-hand taste of the responsibilities that came with being mayor, Cr Cugliari said.
“Being the deputy mayor has just been an incredible experience … I’ve had a taste of taking on some of the mayor’s (duties) … being in his shoes. It is a big, big job.” But a female face would be ideal for the position, she said.
Councillors Bruce Rowan, Deborah Warren and Sophie Ramsay could not be contacted before Star’s deadline.
Reservoir Ward councillor Chris Papas declined to comment.
