![Henk van de Ven Henk van de Ven](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/9uPv5Hw5fHgJxKHJiUjqfy/d33e1b25-cfd9-4aa4-92fb-6a456cf48a20.jpg/r0_0_4566_3034_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
ALBURY Mayor Kevin Mack has endorsed Henk van de Ven succeeding him as the council's leader.
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Cr van de Ven has announced he will later this month have a fifth tilt at the mayoralty on a ticket with David Thurley, who will seek the deputy's role.
Cr Mack backed Cr van de Ven's move.
"I believe he has the skills and the passion to be the mayor of Albury," Cr Mack said.
"I wouldn't support him if I didn't believe he had that.
"I think I would support him on that particular opportunity, because I think he deserves it.
"He's been knocked out three or four times, he's been deputy mayor for three or four years, I think at some point he's got to be given the opportunity to lead."
Cr van de Ven said he was keen to use his experience as a councillor and lead the city through any council merger.
"I think the next 12 months is a fairly critical time for Albury with the State Government going through this whole process of Fit for the Future and I think we need some experience, not only on council, but just of life in general," Cr van de Ven said.
"If we have to go through any of these processes, as far as amalgamation is concerned, which might be forced on us, we need to make sure that there is a really good outcome for any of those people that are involved in the process, whether it be Albury City residents or those from outlying cities and councils.
"I have been on council for 11 years, I have served as deputy mayor for four terms under various mayors and I believe that experience will stand me in good stead when it comes to negotiating the next 12 months."
Cr van de Ven said unlike Cr Mack he would not be a full-time mayor, with his Enzed franchise requiring attention.
"I still have a business to run, but over the last 11 years I've managed to have a pretty good balance as far as council work, family and other hobbies and interests are concerned," Cr van de Ven said.
"I've always had the ability to take off time from work where I've needed."
Cr van de Ven expects to be challenged for mayor by Cr Daryl Betteridge.
Cr Thurley said he believed he and Cr van de Ven would be complementary.
"We have different interests, different connections in the community and that's important, what you don't want is being seen as representing one section of the community," he said.