ROCKDALE Council has a new mayor after Cr Bill Saravinovski (Labor) was elected on Wednesday.
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Cr Saravinovski and Cr James Macdonald (independent) were both nominated for the mayoral position.
Cr Saravinovski won easily with 12 votes to three.
In a surprise move Cr Peter Poulos (Liberal) moved to have the vote as a secret ballot, which was seconded by Cr Nicholas Mickovski (Liberal).
That led to a division within the chamber with Cr Ron Bezic, Cr Paul Sedrak, Cr Lydia Sedrak, Cr Bill Saravinovski, Cr Petros Kalligas, Cr Michael Nagi, Cr Nicholas Mickovski and Cr Peter Poulos voting for the motion.
Crs Joe Awada, Liz Barlow, Tarek Ibrahim, Mark Hanna, Andrew Tsounis and Shane O'Brien voted against the secret ballot.
Cr Nagi was elected deputy mayor, in a secret a ballot.
Cr Saravinovski said he decided to run for mayor for the seventh time because of the support of the community.
"I have lived in Rockdale for 50 years. My kids go to local schools and I shop at local stores. My only interest is to make this city a better place for all of us to live."
He said he would focus on the development of Cooks Cove, the delivery of synthetic playing grounds as well as finishing existing projects on time and to budget.
Cr Nagi said he decided to take on the position of deputy mayor to help put the focus back on the second ward.
"As a councillor I believe that the second ward has always been neglected," he said.
"I feel I owe it to the community to do what I can.
"As deputy mayor I want to improve community and sporting facilities right across the city."
What projects would you like to see the new mayor and deputy mayor focus on?
