April 23, 2020
Division 6 councillor Hilary Smedon was elected Deputy Mayor at Gympie Regional Council’s compulsory post-election meeting on Thursday.
Cr Smerdon secured the most votes after preferences of any GRC candidate at the recent Council elections.
He was was elected unopposed as Deputy Mayor.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the meeting was livestreamed on the Council’s Facebook page
Incoming Mayor Cr Glenn Hartwig congratulated all councillors and warned them they faced a high level of responsibility.
He said councillors should base their decisions on firm principles.
“My suggestion to you is to be curious, ask questions and respect honest answers, and understand at all times that we are spending someone else’s money,” he said.
“We won’t get it right every time but we will take responsibility.”
Mayor Hartwig said Councillors also needed to lead the organisation towards greater openness, honesty and transparency.
“There are exciting times ahead and COVID-19 will present some challenges,” he said.
“This region is the greatest place to live, raise a family or simply just enjoy life.
“I look forward to being a mayor for the whole region and treating people equally, without favour or ill will.”
Cr Smerdon said his main areas of focus would be basic services and council finances.
“In my opinion, we need to do the basic services first and give ratepayers value for money,” Cr Smerdon told the meeting.
“I promised open, honest and dependable representation and I intend to deliver on these promises, reining in excessive spending and bringing our budget back into the black.”
