Mark Davies’ late decision to run at this year’s Council election has ended up landing him the position of Mayor for the next 12 months.
The Liberal-leaning Independent defeated the only other candidate, Independent Jackie Greenow, by one vote in an election held at the Council chambers this evening.
Ross Fowler, a veteran Liberal Party member now sitting as an Independent, was elected Deputy Mayor, defeating Labor’s Karen McKeown.
The Weekender understands that a deal was struck only today to secure Cr Davies the top job, with Cr Fowler, Jim Aitken and Kevin Crameri also likely to be given a term as Mayor.
Cr Davies had declared he wouldn’t re-contest this year’s poll, but changed his mind in the weeks leading up to the election, ultimately securing major support in South Ward.
Cr Davies secured the votes of all the Liberal-leaning Independents including Ben Goldfinch, Bernard Bratusa, Jim Aitken, Ross Fowler, Tricia Hitchen and Marcus Cornish, whilst Cr Crameri also voted with that group – ultimately the deciding vote.
Maurice Girotto voted for Cr Greenow as did Labor councillors John Thain, Karen McKeown, Greg Davies and Prue Car. Greens councillor Michelle Tormey also voted for Cr Greenow.
Cr Davies was emotional in his acceptance speech, particularly when thanking his family and wife Tanya Davies.
“I have lived in Penrith for over 40 years now and I am raising my family here in Penrith. I have a great passion for Penrith and I have a great passion for it to be all it can be,” Cr Davies said.
“Penrith has some incredible opportunities that are at its doorstep.”
Cr Davies said the current Council needed to take advantage of the current opportunities and make strong decisions.
“Penrith has been designated as a regional city in the Metropolitan Plan and to me that is exciting but with that comes a sense of responsibility on us as a Council to work that out. It’s one thing to have a title of a regional city, it’s another thing to build a regional city,” he said.
Cr Davies mentioned the Nepean River and High Street as particular areas that needed attention.
Prior to the election, all of the new councillors as well as those re-elected addressed the council, most thanking their supporters and those who voted for them.
Greens Councillor Michelle Tormey said: “This responsibility has filled me with a strong sense of pride and it’s a responsibility which I shall not take lightly.”
Bernard Bratusa said he’d give his new role “everything he had” and quipped that he was “third time lucky”, after securing his spot on Council at attempt number three.
“I do want to thank my beautiful wife who is the be all and end all when it comes to me,” he said.
Marcus Cornish said Penrith was “the greatest Council in the greatest nation on Earth”.
“It’s a friendly council and I hope it will stay that way – I am sure it will,” he said.
There’s already indications he may not get his wish. Once the election was over and business returned to normal, things got quite heated over appointments to various committees.
