Mayor dumped

By Casey Neill
FERNTREE Gully’s 24-year-old campaigner Peter Cole has ousted former Knox mayor Jim Penna in a resounding election victory.
The Spirit of Sharing and Tormore Road Lights Action Group founder took out Knox’s Baird Ward on first preferences.
Mr Cole raked in 4311 votes to Mr Penna’s 2036.
“It’s quite humbling to know that the voters have put their trust in me and I hope I deliver,” he said.
Mr Cole thanked Mr Penna for his past three years on the council.
“He did a good job but I think it’s time for someone new and that’s why I put my hand up,” he said.
Mr Penna was disappointed to lose the seat after two consecutive mayoral terms.
“But life goes on,” he said.
“That’s our system of democracy.”
He acknowledged Mr Cole had “worked hard” for the electorate, but was reluctant to comment on whether he could handle the job.
“The people will make that judgement themselves,” he said.
“He’ll find that the council is quite different to standing on a street corner holding a placard.”
Mr Penna claimed Mr Cole had attacked him through the media, but denied he was party to similar personal attacks.
Mr Penna said he would continue to work in the public arena, but would spend more time with his wife and extended family.
Sue McMillan is the new Dobson Ward councillor in what she described as “a bit of a surprise win”.
“I thought I would have a strong primary vote, but assumed the preferences would stop me in the end,” she said.
Ms McMillan attracted 3717 primary votes, 816 votes ahead of her nearest rival, Gail Drummond.
Andrew Walter was another surprise victor, in the hotly contested Friberg Ward.
Tony Holland seemed to have victory in the bag on first preference votes with 3031 to Mr Walter’s 1972.
“I felt sick for three hours,” Mr Walter said.
After distribution of preferences, Mr Walter wound up ahead, 4902 to 4638.
He thanked father-in-law and former Knox mayor Frank Johnson for his support.
John Mortimore also had a convincing victory over fellow Chandler Ward candidate Amanda Leeper on first preference votes.
In the Shire of Yarra Ranges, Greens affiliate Samantha Dunn was returned to Lyster Ward with 4342 first round votes.
She hit back at residents who claimed the shire was too green.
“The fact that I am back in on a majority win and all my colleagues are back says volumes,” Cr Dunn said.
Despite claims of foul play following a ballot paper printing mishap, Noel Cliff’s popularity has remained intact.
Cr Cliff faced community backlash when his how to vote card listed a candidate incorrectly.
But he has still come through with a majority win with 3877 in first and 4531 in second round preferences.
“I must have been doing something pretty right,” he said.