The former newsagent was discharged from hospital on Tuesday after being treated for a bleeding ulcer diagnosed in the early hours of last Thursday.

Cr Curtin received the third highest primary vote in Saturday’s council election, behind fellow incumbents John Bruce and Colin Jones.

He has been mayor for four years and was unopposed in the last three votes.

“I’m interested in standing as mayor but I will see what the feeling of my colleagues is and go from there,” Cr Curtin said.

“I’ve enjoyed doing what I’ve done and at this particular stage I haven’t been told anyone wants to oppose me.”

Cr Jones and Finley councillor Daryll Morris said they would support Cr Curtin continuing if he felt his health was alright.

Cr Curtin, who will be 81 at the end of this council term, played down his ulcer woe, saying it was resolved.  

Without commenting on Cr Curtin’s ailment, former mayor John Bruce suggested the council should look to a younger man to lead the shire.

“I would like to see someone younger put their hand up, someone that’s been on the council for awhile,” Cr Bruce said. “We’re at the start of a new term and it’s an opportunity for them to show some interest.”

Finley solicitor John Taylor is expected to be one of two new faces on the eight-member council with the six incumbents who stood set to be re-elected.

Mr Taylor and fellow candidates John Carr and Patricia Boyd decided to stand after being upset at the council’s now aborted plan to raze Finley’s Memorial Hall.

“I think between the three of us there’s about 700 odd votes, but my approach to the election was that I wanted to run on certain general issues just not the hall itself,” Mr Taylor said.

“I just think there’s some processes that can be improved in the council, for example the actual consultation process there’s got to be more substance to it.”

A final result is expected on Thursday.