By Candice Boyle
CITY of Maribyrnong councillor Catherine Cumming is hoping divine intervention will help her break an 11-year mayoral drought.
As the municipality’s longest serving councillor, the Bluestone Ward representative will be praying for a miracle when councillors pen down the preferences during tomorrow night’s mayoral vote.
A special meeting will be held in the chamber tomorrow night, and with many councillors remaining tight lipped about their votes, there is no clear indication of who will be the next councillor to lead the city.
Councillors Janis Rossiter, Janet Rice and Sel Sanli told the Star last week they would not be standing, while Cr Michelle MacDonald and outgoing mayor Michael Clarke failed to confirm either way.
Cr MacDonald, who was mayor in 2005, said “I don’t, and I never have talked about the mayoral vote before it happens”, while Cr Clarke left the decision to his fellow councillors.
“Hope to be considered for next year, but I recognise it is a very cherished position and we have got some very talented people on this council, I welcome the fact there is so much interest in the role,” Cr Clarke said.
Cr Cumming and Cr Dina Lynch last week firmly registered their interest in becoming the next mayor.
Deputy mayor Cr Lynch said she would be “throwing her hat in the ring” and hoped to begin the end of her first term on council as mayor.
Cr Cumming said her ward and Sheoak — Cr Rossiter’s ward — were the only two wards not to be governed by a mayor since the creation of the City of Maribyrnong.
“I have been elected four times and Bluestone deserves a mayor,” Cr Cumming said.
“I hope that everyone can pray for me, I am hoping for a City of Maribyrnong vigil where everyone will pray and light a candle for me and make a wish, as I am going to need as much luck as I can get.”
