The Northern Rivers has two new deputy mayors with the election today of Michael Lyon in Byron Shire, and Sharon Cadwallader in Ballina Shire.
In Byron there were three candidates; Crs Michael Lyon, Cate Coorey, and Alan Hunter. After the first round of voting, Cr Hunter received three votes, Cr Coorey received two votes, and Cr Lyon received four votes.
In the second round, Cr Coorey abstained, and Cr Lyon won the ballot with four votes.
Outgoing Deputy Mayor Cr Sarah Ndiaye, said, ‘Thank you for the opportunity to serve as deputy mayor. I took it on after what can only be described as the most emotionally challenging year. There was the drought and the worst fire season in living memory.
‘Then it came to COVID – for any of us a big job, but as mayor or deputy you end up having lots of extra meetings. I wish Michael Lyon all the best in the year ahead. You have the availability and skill to move into that role.’
Cr Michael Lyon said, ‘Thanks for your support, though qualified, colleagues. I loved it the first time around. I’m very happy to be deputy to Simon who I think has been a wonderful servant for this community. I’m quite happy to be here in an independent capacity this time.’
Ballina
Down the coast in Ballina, after an attempt to block the deputy mayor position went down 7:3, there were three nominations for the role.
These were Crs Sharon Cadwallader, Phillip Meehan and Jeff Johnson.
In a secret ballot, Cr Sharon Cadwallader received a clear majority of six votes, and was elected deputy mayor.
Outgoing deputy Cr Eoin Johnston congratulated Cr Cadwallader, who agreed she had ‘big shoes to fill’.
Deputy Mayor Cadwallader told Echonetdaily, ‘It is a real honour and privilege to be supported by the majority of my fellow councillors today for the position of Deputy Mayor of Ballina Shire Council.
‘Whilst in the role, I look forward to working with my colleagues as Ballina Shire’s vision for the future unfolds. As a team we work well together in balancing and delivering the needs and wants of our community.’
There is a rush to fill the role of nothingness.
Just who knew that the Byron deputy was Cr Sarah Ndiaye and the Ballina deputy was Cr Eoin Johnston?
The vote shows that the role of the media is underrated by the councillors.
The media will always want to know what the mayor says or said, not any deputy. The mayor has the power of council and all councillors as the mayor has an extra vote on a tied vote and having that power, it is a derogation of duty to let the deputy show through any sign of power when the mayor is sitting in the mayor’s chair.