Councillor email row mars Hume mayoral race

The battle to find the next mayor of Hume appears to have been fought against the backdrop of an email dispute leading up to Thursday’s special meeting when councillors officially elect their leader for the next 12 months.

Last Friday, ‘Sunbury out of Hume’ stalwart Jack Ogilvie said he was withdrawing from contention after failing to secure a promise of support from fellow Sunbury councillor Ann Potter.

This was after Cr Potter had lodged an official complaint with outgoing mayor Geoff Porter about emails sent to her by Ogilvie supporter and fellow Sunbury councillor Jack Medcraft.

“Well, Ann, have you decided what you are doing; is it Jack or Casey?” Cr Medcraft asked in an email circulated to fellow councillors, Hume chief executive Domenic Isola and failed Palmer Party candidate for McEwen, Trevor Dance, along with local media.

Craigieburn councillor and deputy mayor Casey Nunn has indicated she will put herself forward for the mayor’s job, as has Cr Helen Patsikatheodorou, while Cr Adem Atmaca is believed to have also considered asking for the role before backing out.

 

The meeting to elect the new mayor will be held at 7pm at the council chambers in Broadmeadows. A civic reception will follow.