NATHAN Hersey has returned for a second term as South Gippsland Shire Mayor, his vote combined with those of Councillors Brad Snell, Scott Rae, John Kennedy and Steve Finlay ensuring a majority decision in Cr Hersey’s favour, Cr Rae having also been nominated for the mayoral election.
Cr Snell was elected Deputy Mayor, with the other nominees for that position, Cr Rae and Cr Kennedy, withdrawing from the process.
When asked by the Sentinel-Times, the newly appointed Mayor expressed confidence that he and Cr Sarah Gilligan will work productively together despite her obvious disappointment at the result, having like Cr Hersey put forward a strong case for election.
“We’ll work on that,” he said, commenting that serving the community is a shared goal.
He stressed that he loves democracy and making a difference and is a big believer in putting yourself forward when you feel you can step up and do the role, with that in no way detracting from what others can contribute.
Cr Hersey expressed his appreciation of the support shown in him, having stated that more needs to be done to convey to people the positive results council is achieving, committing to lead and enhance communications and strengthen council’s public image.
“I expect more videos and short clips, and engaging clips with members of the community; I would say that visual side of things is what gets attention,” he said, arguing sometimes it takes only one negative person to detract from the good work council is doing.
He’d like to see council be more responsive in explaining the situation when unfair criticism occurs, with that often left to individual councillors.
Before the Mayoral election, Cr Hersey outlined why he chose to run.
“I’m nominating for Mayor because I know I have the capacity, the skill and the time to do the role and I understand the scale of the organisation and the responsibility we hold to our region and our people,” he said, noting his strong involvement in politics at all levels over 13 years.
Cr Hersey highlighted the need for clear, steady and focused leadership and working as a team, pointing out South Gippsland Shire Council manages a budget of more than $90 million a year and $1 billion worth of assets for the community.
He was asked by Sentinel-Times what he has learned from his previous term as Mayor.
“The organisation needs very clear direction from the councillor group through the Mayor to the CEO, and that direction needs to come from each of us as we listen to our community and make sure we’re in tune with where the community is at,” he said.
Having tipped Cr Gilligan as the Mayor, based on her being given the chance to build on her experience as Deputy Mayor, this scribe will stick to facts, having demonstrated he’s not much of a punter.
