Four in line to don mayoral robes

By Sarah Schwager and Callan Date
THE field is wide open in the race to mayor with next Monday’s City of Casey mayoral election looking to be a four-horse race.
Current mayor Colin Butler will stand again for the top job in the council chambers, along with councillors Rob Wilson, Mick Morland and Paul Richardson.
Cr Butler said he felt he was in a position workwise where he could continue the job.
“I felt if there were enough people who wished for me to stand then I would. Then they can decide if they elect me or not,” he said.
Cr Butler said he was definitely not confident he had the backing, particularly after the backflips that occurred before last year’s mayoral election.
“It’s a long time between now and next week,” Cr Butler said.
Last year Cr Wilson had all but given up his job as a teacher, but it turned out the spot for mayor had not been fully decided.
Cr Butler withdrew his nomination but was then told to stand again before being named mayor.
Cr Wilson said he was yet to rule himself in or out of the race to become the city’s next mayor.
“After last year I’m very wary of the whole process. It’s very much a case of once bitten, twice shy for me,” he said.
“There is a couple of theories floating around, but who really knows until we sit down on Monday afternoon,” Cr Wilson said.
Councillor Michael Farley said he believed the council needed someone to galvanise the group.
“We need someone with experience that can take us forward and I think Rob (Wilson) is that person,” he said.
Cr Farley said he would not support Cr Butler.
“I think we need somebody that will take control and also give us a bit of air space to voice our opinion,” he said.
Cr Richardson said he would also put his hand up in the hope of wearing the mayoral robes in 2008.
“I’m standing. I don’t know what my chances are because I don’t know the numbers,” he said.
“I think I would be the first Aboriginal mayor in Victoria if I was elected.”
Cr Butler said he did not feel he had done a bad job this year and certainly had not had the controversy that has surrounded previous mayors.
“I feel I have been well accepted out in the community,” he said.
Cr Butler said he understood that Cr Wilson had again put his hand up for the job, Cr Morland would consider standing depending on who supported who, and Cr Richardson was also a “fair dinkum contender” after apparently receiving the backing of one of the other councillors.
The announcement of Casey’s next mayor will be made at a special council meeting on Monday.