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A WARNING FOR ALL RESIDENTS
SIMMONS NAMED BEST PLAYER
THE UNSTOPPABLE JON ENGLISH
SEPTEMBER 20 2013 ISSUE 1121
PROUDLY INDEPENDENT CIRCULATION: 59,069
THE HEARTBEAT OF PENRITH
DANCE DEATH Police are pleading with young people to stop gambling with their lives when it comes to taking party drugs. It follows the death of a 23-year-old man at Penrith’s Defqon.1 music festival last weekend. Around 18,000 people packed into the Sydney International Regatta Centre for the dance festival, but its future is now in doubt following the Victorian man’s death.
PAGES 6-7
Councillor Ross Fowler is expected to take over the position of Penrith Mayor next week. Photo: Melinda Jane.
Your next Mayor
WORLD CHAMP Jessica joins the sporting elite PAGE 3
Exclusive: Fowler tipped to take over top job on Monday
R
CASSANDRA O CONNOR
oss Fowler is set to become Penrith Mayor on Monday night during what is expected to be a fiery Council meeting. But the Weekender can reveal that the position of Deputy Mayor is less than certain, with independent Councillors Jim Aitken and Jackie Greenow in a tight contest for votes. A deal was struck after the September 2012 Council elections to install Cr Fowler and Cr Aitken in the roles of Mayor and Deputy Mayor respectively, in Council’s second year. However, the deal has been cast into doubt,
with Liberal-leaning independent Councillor Marcus Cornish refusing to confi rm whether he’ll support the arrangement. “I am not sure which way I will vote,” he said. Cr Fowler will still have the majority of votes however, with Councillors Mark Davies, Ben Goldfi nch, Bernard Bratusa, Tricia Hitchen, Jim Aitken, Kevin Crameri and Maurice Girotto expected to back him. The fate of the Deputy Mayor position is in the hands of Cr Girotto and Cr Cornish. “I do not want to upset the apple cart, that is not my intention, I understand these deals were made at the election,” Cr Girotto said. Cr Aitken has the backing of the Liberal-
leaning Councillors and independent, Cr Crameri. However, when asked if he would consider supporting Cr Greenow as Deputy Mayor, Cr Girotto admitted she would be an excellent candidate for the position. “If Jackie puts her hand up for Deputy Mayor, this may change things,” he said. Cr Greenow has the backing of all four Labor Councillors for both the position of Mayor and if unsuccessful, Deputy Mayor, as well as Greens Councillor Michelle Tormey. A vote from Cr Girotto for Cr Greenow would result in Cr Cornish casting the deciding vote. Cr Cornish has himself indicated he would be interested in the Deputy Mayor job in the future.
JAMO JAM Scooter comp set to attract big crowds PAGE 23
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