By NICOLE VALICEK
HOBSONS Bay City Council’s new mayor has vowed to work hard for the betterment of the community and its people over the coming year.
Cr Sandra Wilson was elected mayor for the next 12 months at a special council meeting last Friday 8 November with Cr Colleen Gates elected as deputy major.
During her acceptance speech Cr Wilson said she was honoured to have the support of her fellow councillors for the mayoralty of the municipality.
“The council is a team effort – elected representatives working together – and most importantly working with our community,” Cr Wilson said.
“It is about our shared vision and shared goals for the well-being of our people and our place. And of course it is about our shared values of honesty, trust, integrity, collaboration and respect.”
She also thanked her husband and her family for their ongoing support.
Cr Wilson said helping community organisations prosper, engaging young people, social enterprise and helping the community realise their leadership potential to contribute to public life would form part of the 2014 Mayoral Program.
“I look forward to working with my fellow councillors in the service of the community, to make Hobsons Bay an even better place.
“I am looking forward to continuing to advocate on issues such as public transport, education and affordable housing and I await our new community engagement strategy, open space strategy and reformed residential zones that will give greater certainty to development in our municipality.”
She thanked outgoing major Cr Angela Altair for her “spirited leadership” and “personal support”.
“I have a hard act to follow – Angela has given 14 years’ service to the city and achieved so much as both a councillor and mayor.”
On welcoming the new mayor Cr Altair said Cr Wilson and her colleagues had conducted themselves “honourably” over the past year.
“I have no doubt Cr Wilson will conduct herself with great honour and she’ll be a great team leader and I’m genuinely looking forward to the year ahead.”
Cr Luba Grigorovitch described the new mayor as a “hard-working individual” who “leads with integrity”.
Cr Gates said she looks forward to supporting the mayor and working with her fellow councillors to “achieve the best services and infrastructure” for the community.
