INCUMBENT Kevin Mack withstood a shock challenge from his predecessor Alice Glachan to secure a second term as Albury mayor last night.
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Cr Mack had hoped to be returned to the city’s top job with the support of his eight colleagues.
But former mayor Cr Glachan issued a surprise last-minute challenge and was defeated 6-3 with one of her previous supporters, Cr Patricia Gould, switching her allegiance to Cr Mack.
Cr Ross Jackson edged out Cr Graham Docksey for the deputy mayor position 5-4 after current deputy Cr Henk van de Ven cleared the way for the youngest member of the council to be elevated to the role.
Cr Mack retained the mayoral robes with family members, wife Jill, daughter Lucy and mum Daisy, in the gallery.
His son Willson couldn’t attend as he is playing in a representative football carnival in Albury this week.
Cr Mack said he had no inkling of the challenge from Cr Glachan after declaring his desire for solidarity from the council.
“Alice wanted to challenge and thought she might have been a chance,” he said.
“But clearly that is not the case. It is what it is and we move on.”
Cr Mack nominated two personal highlights in his first 12 months as mayor.
They were a budget which delivered a small surplus and community consultation evidenced by the East-West connector road in Thurgoona, the Urana Road resealing, Cumberoona paddlesteamer and the Lauren Jackson Sports Centre player fees row.
He also paid tribute to staff for embracing a service and efficiency review.
Cr Mack will be juggling work and council commitments in his second term after taking long service leave from Victoria Police for the past 12 months.
Cr Jackson’s partner Nicole Callow was also present to watch him claim the deputy mayor position, with the backing of Cr Mack, Cr van de Ven, Cr Darren Cameron and Cr David Thurley.
He only decided to stand for deputy after a Sunday morning meeting with colleagues.
Cr Jackson paid tribute to his one-time boss Cr van de Ven for agreeing to step aside.
“It is a big thing for Henk to stand down to let me come through for the year,” he said.
“It is a time in transition for the family at the moment. We’ve got a new baby in the house and I’ve pulled back on the travel for work.
“It felt like the right time to have a go.”
The four committee chairperson roles were elected unopposed.
They were Cr Betteridge (planning and development), Cr van de Ven (engineering and works), Cr Gould (community and cultural) and Cr Thurley (finance and administration).