Wednesday, October 9, 2024
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Calls to delay mayoral vote By NATHAN THOMPSON
NEWLY elected Snowy Monaro Regional Councillor, Reuben Rose, believes a decision on the region’s new mayor should be delayed to allow councillors more time to consider their options and to learn more about their fellow elected representatives. Three new councillors - Cr Reuben Rose, Cr Nick Elliott and Cr Andrew Thaler - have been elected onto Council for the first time, following the NSW Electoral Commission declaring the final results last week. Cr Rose said Council has 21-days from the official declaration to appoint a mayor, and more time is needed to make an appropriate decision. Council will meet for the first time on Thursday at the Cooma office chambers at 1pm, where a vote will take place to hold elections for the mayor and deputy mayor. “It can’t be best practice to turn up with a whole lot of people you don’t know and have a vote,” Cr Rose said. “We need to take the time to work out who is available and willing to stand for the positions. “Voting in a deputy mayor is also optional, we need to decide if we want one.”
COUNCILLORS PREPARE FOR FIRST MEETING
COUNCIL: Newly elected Snowy Monaro Regional Councillors Reuben Rose and Nick Elliott are preparing for their first meeting on Thursday. Mr Rose believes a vote for mayor should be delayed to allow councillors more time to consider their options and to better understand their elected representatives. PHOTO: Melinda Cairns Hack
This masthead has spoken with a majority of councillors ahead of a possible mayoral vote. Incumbent mayor Cr Hanna, incumbent deputy mayor Tanya Higgins, Cr Stewart, and Cr Thaler are expected to contest the mayoral vote. At their first meeting, councillors may be required to vote on whether Cr Andrew
Thaler is permitted to attend meetings in-person. Cr Thaler has been banned from Council’s offices for a number of years due to allegations of ‘negative behaviour’. “Following a risk assessment – given a long history of negative behaviours towards previous councillors, Council staff, and other members of the community – there are potential
risks that need to be sensibly anticipated and planned for,” a Council statement said. Mr Thaler disputes this ban. Cr Rose said councillors need to address this situation. “Whatever the story is with Council, we need to act in the best interests of the community. It’s an important issue to resolve,” Cr Rose said.
Read more on page 3
Two dead in buggy crash
VICTORIAN Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a fatal buggy crash in Tubbut on Saturday night, that killed an adult and a teenager. Emergency services were called to reports of a buggy rollover at a property just before 11pm on Saturday October 5. Victorian Police said a 47-year-old driver from NSW and a child passenger, a 13-year-old Nicholson girl, died in the accident. A second child passenger, a 12-yearold NSW boy, was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. An adult passenger, a 47-year-old Nicholson man, was treated at the scene for minor injuries. Emergency service crews from Bombala, including Fire and Rescue NSW, State Emergency Services and ambulance officers, attended the property on McKillops Rd, Tubbut. Victorian emergency services also attended the scene. Investigations into the accident are ongoing, said Victorian Police in a statement issued on Sunday October 6.
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