By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
IT’S believed next week’s Casey mayoral election is a two-horse race.
Councillors Sam Aziz and Gary Rowe have both confirmed to Star News they will be throwing their hats into the ring to replace current mayor Mick Morland at the election on Monday night.
Cr Aziz’s bid for mayor comes as the Councillor Conduct Panel this month issued a finding of misconduct against the Springfield ward councillor, after a controversial incident in which Cr Aziz referred to Cr Rafal Kaplon in an email as a “parasitic mosquito”.
In August, Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan slammed Cr Aziz’s alleged comments, made in an email sent to councillors and executives.
The Councillor Conduct Panel found the actions of Cr Aziz “constitute misconduct” and ordered him to provide a written apology to Cr Kaplon.
Cr Aziz has since apologised to Cr Kaplan, stating he regretted the email and in particular regretted the offence it caused his colleague.
Speaking to Star News this week, Cr Aziz said the recent finding would not affect his run at the mayoralty.
“That has now been put to rest and we have a fresh page to start from,” Cr Aziz said.
“We’ve both indicated enormous willingness to do that.”
Cr Aziz, who already served as Casey’s mayor in 2011, said he was excited to be running again for the role and believed he had much to offer a second time around.
Cr Rowe also confirmed he would run for the mayoralty and while he hasn’t stepped into the position before, he said his former experience as an MP put him in good stead.
Mr Rowe, who was the MP for Cranbourne from 1992 to 2002, also mentioned his long history with the Casey municipality, citing his time as a Cranbourne Shire councillor before entering state politics.
“I have lived in the municipality for over 30 years and I have a knowledge of its history,” Cr Rowe said.
“I have an understanding of the needs, wants and inspirations of the community and a desire to make things better.”
The mayoral election will be held on Monday 26 October at 5.30pm at the Casey Council chambers.
