With the resignation of our Mayor and my stint as Deputy Mayor ending, the public face of Council has changed.

Last night Council appointed Cr Peter Hughes (Fullarton Ward) as our Acting Mayor. We also appointed Cr Michael Hewitson as Deputy Mayor. Their appointments will see us through to the elections in November this year. This is when you get to decide who will be your Mayor and your two Local Councillors for the next 4 years.

Peter will be the public face of Council for the next ten months. Michael will deputise in Peter’s absence. This is as was the case in the last twelve months with me deputising for Lachlan Clyne,

I wish both well.

Exacerbating this changing face of Council, Cr John Koumi announced during last night’s Council meeting that he too was resigning effective the end of this month. John’s focus has shifted in recent times with the purchase of a farm in the Adelaide Hills.

On my part my bid was unsuccessful. I am now simply again your local Ward Councillor.

This allows me to sit back a little now. Once again I can direct my focus on the rate payers of my Ward. I will also now have a greater influence in the Council Chamber, debating issues relevant to the Clarence Park Ward.

The Deputy Mayor role spreads your focus. I found myself being called into assisting with the concerns of ratepayers across the City of Unley. Responding to ratepayer concerns will largely be limited back to the Clarence Park Ward.

When replacing the Mayor at meetings the focus is in ensuring the proper flow of business and the conduct of the meeting. It was challenging when a Clarence Park Ward issue (or an issue I in which I have an interest) was discussed in the chamber.