The candidates for the East Gippsland Shire Council election have been confirmed.
Nominations closed yesterday at noon with just three members of the current council – John White, Dick Ellis and Mark Reeves – re-standing. All are former mayors.
Joe Rettino, Natalie O’Connell, Marianne Pelz, Colin Toohey, Ben Buckley and Jackson Roberts will not re-stand.
The election has attracted 21 nominees, all with a range of backgrounds and coming from across the district.
They are (in ballot order:
* Mendy Urie
* Jane Greacen
* Tom Crook
* Tim Behan
* Peter Neal
* Trevor Stow
* Ray Barling
* Kim Dutton
* Jeremy Schroder
* Jeff McNeill
* George Neophytou
* Jane Rowe
* Dick Ellis
* Sonia Buckley
* Luke Roberts
* Arthur Allen
* John White
* Mark Reeves
* Sally Kendall
* Simon Ellis
* Kirsten Van Diggele
Ms Urie, Ms Rowe and Mr Neal are both former councillors and mayors, and Mr McNeill a former councillor, joining Mr White, Mr Ellis and Mr Reeves with local government experience.
The number of candidates for this year’s election pale in comparison to 2016 when a remarkable 39 locals put their hand up.
Mr Neal, Mr Schroder, Mr Neophytou and Mr McNeill contested that election, receiving 3.44, 1.95, 1.48 and 2.00 per cent of the vote respectively.
A ballot draw was undertaken last night. The election will take place via postal vote with voting packs sent out in early October. Voting closes at 6pm, Friday, October 23.
