Connecting people & communities CRANBOURNE
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Thursday, 3 November, 2016
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Pain in the fast lane
Kids’ skills at play
Josh’s big battle begins
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They’re survivors SEVEN of 11 incumbent City of Casey councillors have survived the election, with official results declared last night (Wednesday). There were close calls across the board and preference distribution made all the difference in getting candidates over the line. Amanda Stapledon has been returned to council to represent Mayfield Ward along with Steve Beardon who trailed Cr Stapledon by just 401 votes after preference distribution. “I am so honoured and so grateful and surprised,� Cr Stapledon said. “I had everything against me including a shocking flu, but I am honoured to be part of this community that has placed their trust and faith in me.� The Local Government Investigations and Compliance Inspectorate confirmed last week that there was an ongoing investigation regarding ballot papers being stolen from mailboxes in Mayfield Ward. “We’re keeping in touch with the VEC about the possible removal of ballot papers, but it is a very small number of confirmed cases where ballot papers have either been removed or not delivered to certain addresses,� a spokesperson for the inspectorate said. “And as theft of mail (or incorrect addressing of material) does occur in some areas, we have to take all possibilities into account.� Cr Stapledon had said that while there was an investigation into these allegations, she trusted the VEC and the inspectorate to deliver accurate election results. “If it has occurred, I think it would be thoroughly investigated before going to count,� she said. “I don’t believe they would have let the count go through without triple-checking the ballots." Mayfield incumbent and now former councillor Gary Rowe was the last candidate to have his preferences distributed for the ward. Balla Balla Ward incumbent councillor Geoff Ablett has been retured to his seat with a landslide victory.
Figures results released on the Victorian Election Commission website place Cr Ablett with 55.31 per cent of first preference votes. The next closest candidates for Balla Balla were Tom Rennick and Frank Lamattina with 13.64 per cent and 13.87 per cent of first preference votes respectively. Mr Rennick conceded defeat to Cr Ablett on Thursday 27 October. “I think it’s pretty much done and dusted at this point,� Mr Rennick said. “It’s quite nice that I’ve had just over 10 per cent of the constituents think I’m worthwhile but I can’t see that much changing as I think the other three candidates will be preferencing Geoff.� “I wish him all the best and I hope he and Casey do a good job in the next four years.� Although gracious in defeat, Mr Rennick said these results wouldn’t stop him from working to improve the City of Casey. “If another opportunity arises for me to assist Casey in the future then I will do that,� he said. Incumbent councillor for Edrington Ward Susan Serey was the first candidate in her ward to reach the necessary quota of votes to be elected with 28 per cent of first preference votes. Timothy Jackson is the second elected councillor for Edrington, and came out on top after a tight preference distribution between himself, James Williams and incumbent Mick Moreland. City of Casey Mayor and incumbent councillor for Springfield Ward Sam Aziz has been voted back into council in a very close decider. “I’m feeling great and I am grateful for the people of Springfield for returning me to council,� he said. “I had a fierce campaign run against me with state-wide negative coverage and ridiculous accusations, but the voters paid attention to the scoreboard.� Second incumbent for Springfield Louise Berkelmans lost her seat by a margin of 2514 after preference distribution. Continued on page 3
Paws for a picnic
Lynbrook Aged Care hosted a picnic and paws day to bring the wider community and the facilities community closer together. Ralph and Grace Attard participated in the dog parade on the day and enjoyed the activities on hand. For more pictures from the event, turn to page 8. 161091
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