Mayor bets on the Magpies

Mayor Richie Williamson is backing the Magpies this weekend.

Daily Examiner

Photos

Lower Clarence vs Northern United

View Photo Gallery »

Poll

Who's your bet for the NRRRL grand final?

This poll ended on 28 February 2010.

Lower Clarence Magpies

69%

Northern United

30%

This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.

THE mayoral position at Clarence Valley Council was up for grabs yesterday, but if Richie Williamson was nervous you wouldn't have known it.

Instead, our esteemed mayor had this weekend's rugby league final between the Lower Clarence Magpies and Northern United on his mind. And if the Magpies lose, he will pay the price.

“I'm extremely confident about a rugby league win this weekend,” he said.

“But in the unlikely event that the Lower Clarence Magpies do get rolled by Northern United, I've had a bet with Jenny Dowell, mayor of Lismore City Council, that I will wear the Northern United jumper all day Monday.

“But more importantly, I've already sent up to Lismore City Council by express post today the Magpies jumper and the good mayor of Lismore will need to be wearing that all day Monday. So, like I said, I'm that confident.”

The weekend may not be here yet, but as far as the mayoral vote at yesterday's council meeting went, Cr Williamson did come away a winner. He was re-elected as mayor unopposed by the other councillors.

Cr Williamson said it was a humbling experience to be elected to the top job in any organisation, whether that was a tennis club, a cricket club or a council. But he said the work would always be a team effort.

“The nine of us will continue to work hard for our community. We are there to represent the people and that's what we'll continue to do,” he said.

“We've done some hard yards in the first 12 months, we've bedded down our first Budget and rate structure, and we're starting the process already for the next financial year.

“So, corporately, the nine councillors have had some good results and will continue to work for good results.”

Cr Williamson said the councillors had set both long and short-term goals that they were constantly reviewing.

“One of the major infrastructure projects that has been very pleasing in the past 12 months is the Wherrett Park Sports Complex,” he said.

“That's a really big one for the social and sporting community on the Lower Clarence.”

The deputy mayor's position was also up for re-election at last night's meeting.

Unlike the mayoral vote, deputy mayor for the past 12 months Jim Simmons did have others interested in his job.

However, although Craig Howe and Karen Toms both put their hands up, Cr Simmons was re-elected to the position.

Read more ...