Peter Petty continues his role as Tenterfield mayor after being returned to office in a secret poll of councillors at an extraordinary council meeting on September 26.
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Anticipating a repeat of the close race which put Councillor Petty into the chair ahead of fellow nominee (and current deputy mayor) Cr Don Forbes, council’s chief executive Terry Dodds engaged the services of local solicitor Kerri Swain to act as returning officer.
“I anticipated from the mood of the room that the vote could go 5/5, and I didn’t want to be the one putting my hand in the hat,” Mr Dodds said.
“I’d prefer to remain at arm’s length.”
The vote had been split 5/5 at the mayoral election following the 2016 local government poll, following which the future mayor’s name was determined literally by pulling a name out of the hat.
Ultimately the precautions weren’t warranted this round as the vote was six for Cr Petty and four votes for Cr Forbes.
While the mayor has a two-year term, the role of deputy mayor is voted on annually. Last year Cr Forbes survived a similar hat-drawing decision to beat then-DM Cr Greg Sauer to the post.
This time Cr Sauer faced newcomer Cr Bob Rogan for the job. There was also a clear decision in that poll, with Cr Sauer winning over Cr Rogan seven votes to three.
