Former Wodonga mayor Anna Speedie has fanned the flames of division in the ranks by accusing members of the new council of "playing bad politics" during the mayoral election which resulted in Cr Kevin Poulton becoming her successor.
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Ms Speedie was a guest on the 2AY breakfast show co-hosted by Cr Poulton when she said the mayor vote was "full of intrigue and the normal shenanigans that I would expect from a couple just playing bad politics at our council table where it has no place".
After withdrawing his nomination, Cr Watson then backed Cr Poulton for mayor.
"We need builders and those with optimism and real positivity for the City of Wodonga to continue to step forward," Ms Speedie said.
"There are so many great things coming, they are in the pipeline, and having good, positive, forward looking people sitting at the table is so, so important, and you (Cr Poulton) have got the majority of people sitting at the table looking in that same direction."
Ms Speedie also downplayed Cr Poulton being an Albury resident, but occupying the highest public office in Wodonga.
She said Cr Henk van de Ven didn't live in the Albury local government area, but had been a long-time city councillor and former mayor.
Cr van de Ven lives on the outskirts of Albury and technically is a Greater Hume resident, but has been a business owner in Albury for more than two decades.
"Trying to compare my situation with the new Wodonga mayor is totally non-sensical," he said.
"I actually live in the same state I pay rates in.
"I've brought this to Anna's attention and am yet to receive a response."
The Border Mail has also sought comment from Ms Speedie.
Cr Poulton, a father of five children, also plans to continue working in his media role in addition to the full-time Wodonga mayoral position which carries a salary package of more than $80,000.
"I've got the support of everyone around me, each organisation I'm involved in, my own family," he said.
"It's not the first time I've held more than one job at a time."
Cr Mildren said Ms Speedie's radio comments were directed at him.
"It's not myself, Libby or Olga causing division," he said.
"The deals were done before councillors entered the room to elect the mayor and no contact was made with me in respect of that deal.
"Clearly my push to get a more open and transparent council has upset others."
Cr Poulton will initially serve 12 months in the mayor role.
Cr Kat Bennett, who topped the poll at the recent election, confirmed in a social media post she wanted to be mayor at some stage.
"One day I would like to be mayor, but today isn't that day," she said.
"This was a big decision for me as mayor is my dream job."