Monday 17 March 2008

Excitement mixed with sadness and disappointment





Whilst the prospect of leading the new amalgamated Cairns Regional Council is exciting, I can't feel really jubilant as I won't have by my side four of the candidates who ran with me.

Mark Buttrose, Paul Matthews, Richie Bates and Janine Aitken were all quality aspirants for divisional councillor positions. I had wanted Mark's urban planning and design knowledge and skills, Paul's passion for the environment and his wonderful sense of humour, Richie's dedication, commitment and capacity for hard work and Janine's youthful enthusiasm and desire for us to take the impacts of climate change seriously.

They have all accepted their loss graciously and have promised continuing support for me.

It's going to be great to have Di Forsyth in division 8 with her experience in community services and I will be delighted if Jeff Martinuzzi can maintain his lead in division 2 and be there with his common sense, his stability and the knowledge he brings from being a 4th generation Cairns resident.

Kirsten Lesina in division 2 has run perhaps the most impressive campaign and is still in with a chance. Discounted by many because of her youth - she is 21 - Kirsten worked and walked and talked and listened to thousands of people over the past few months. Voters realised that she has the drive to listen to them and work for them full-time and have given her a huge measure of support.

58% of people have indicated that they do not want Paul Freebody to represent them but unfortunately too many of Norman Miller's supporters have not given the desired second preference that Kirsten needs. We will await this decision with fingers crossed and will hopefully have a positive decision when the poll is declared next week after the Easter break and all postal votes are in.

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