By Charlene Gatt
ONLY two of Maribyrnong City Council’s seven current councillors have stated their intention to contest this year’s election.
Mayor John Cumming and Michael Clarke will hit the campaign trail this year for a chance at re-election when this year’s municipal elections are held on 27 October.
Cr Cumming told Star last week that he had unfinished business.
“I’ve got half a dozen projects which I’m hoping to complete, primarily, the second sports centre and swimming pool… either in the centre of Footscray or at the Bradmill site,” he said.
“That’s the kind of thing you need to continue on council to achieve, because it may not be a priority for another person in council.
“In the past three years we’ve had improved lighting, the cameras in the CBD, and we have improved relationships with the traders – I think they’re all things I’ve contributed to.”
If elected, this will be Cr Cumming’s second consecutive term with the Maribyrnong City Council.
Cr Cumming also served a term under the Footscray City Council in the 1990s, but he is adamant he will not chase a third consecutive term.
“If I run a second term, I’m not going a third, under any circumstances. There are a few things that are still unfinished, but if you can’t get them done in eight years, then you really should handball it,” he said.
Meanwhile, Cr Clarke has no qualms about chasing a third term, and is looking forward to the challenge of winning another election under the new municipal boundaries.
The Victorian Electoral Commission will change the ward boundaries from seven single-councillor wards to seven councillors representing three wards after this year’s election.
“It’s going to be hard yards, because the area’s now almost three times as large, so you have to get out and let people know who you are,” Cr Clarke said.
Sheoak Ward councillor Martin Zakharov, who controversially boycotted last year’s mayoral election, is in two minds about contesting.
“I’m going through family issues and also, the ALP hasn’t made a final decision on whether they’ll be endorsing candidates, so that’s part of it a little bit,” he said.
“(My first term) has been good mostly, I’ve enjoyed it. It’s a fair bit of work, it’s certainly poorly paid, but I feel like it’s useful, what I’ve been doing.”
Fellow councillor Sel Sanli was likewise undecided.
“It’s a bit too early for me to commit to a decision at the moment,” he told Star.
Councillors Sarah Carter, Dina Lynch and Catherine Cumming did not return Star’s calls last week.
