Three vie for East Ward
Residents in the East Ward will be issued postal ballot papers by the WA Electoral Commission in the Extraordinary Election resulting from the resignation of Councillor Mary Elgar as three candidates have nominated to fill the vacancy.
At the close of nominations on Tuesday 11 November, three nominations had been accepted, being: Steven Yuen, John Sutherland and Donald Yates.
“Ballot papers will be delivered to Australia Post on Monday 24 November,” said Cr Tina Klein JP, Mayor of the Town of Bassendean.
“Merely number the boxes on the ballot paper from 1 to 3 in the order of your choice. Do not make any other marks on the ballot paper. Remember… number every box to make your vote count,” Cr Klein emphasised.
Included with the ballot papers will be a return prepaid envelope. Place your vote in the envelope provided and either post it to the WA Electoral Commission or place it in the ballot box conveniently located at the Town’s Customer Service Centre at 35 Old Perth Road, Bassendean.
“Residents have up until 6.00 pm on Thursday 18 December to register their vote,” added Mayor Klein.
Please note that the Customer Service Centre will be open up until 6.00 pm on Thursday 18 December to accept ballot papers. For all other working days prior to the 18 December, the Customer Service Centre will be open from 8.30am to 5.00pm.
Electors opting to place their vote in the ballot box must do just that. The overnight shoot is expressly not to be used.
The count will be conducted at the Bassendean Seniors and Community Centre, 50 Old Perth Road, at 6.00 pm on Thursday 18 December and the winner will be determined by preferred preferential count.
The winner will be sworn into office at a Special Council meeting to be held on Tuesday 23 December at 7.00pm and serve out the remainder of the term of office as an East Ward Councillor lapsing at the date of the Local Government elections in October 2011.
Electors seeking to replace their ballot papers are required to present these in person at the Customer Service Centre, 35 Old Perth Road, during working hours and by no later than about 5.30pm on Election Day as the replacement process takes a little time and the vote must be in the box at the close of polling.
The Nominees’ profiles are published on notice boards outside the Customer Service Centre, Administration Centre (48 Old Perth Road, Bassendean) and inside the Bassendean Memorial Library (46 Old Perth Road, Bassendean).
The profiles are also available on the Town’s website at www.bassendean.wa.gov.au
Season's Greetings
Mayor, Cr Tina Klein JP, together with the Councillors, the Acting CEO and the staff of the Town of Bassendean wish everyone a joyous Christmas and a wonderful and prosperous New Year.
John Cox elected unopposed in the North Ward
At the close of nominations, John Cox was the sole candidate nominating to fill the North Ward vacancy resulting from the resignation of Councillor Chris Merfield and so was declared elected unopposed.
His election marks a return to Council for Mr Cox, a past Mayor of the Town who has previously served as a Councillor for 19 years from 1976 to 1995. During this period he served as Mayor for a total of 10 years.
Mr Cox was granted the status of Freeman of the Town in March 1996 for his ‘exceptional contribution to the community’ and awarded the Order of Australia Medal in September 2002 for his ‘service to the community of Bassendean through Local Government’.
Mr Cox’s biography lists the following credentials:
- Previously on Council for nineteen years, ten as Mayor;
- Freeman, Town of Bassendean
- Former Chairman of EMRC
- Justice of the Peace since 1980, currently State Councillor RAJWA
- Vice President Swan–Midland Justices Branch
- President, Eastern Regional RSL Sub-Branch
- RSL State Trustee
- Life member RSL
- Life member Bassendean Volunteer Fire Brigade
- Life member Local Government Association
- Holder of The Order of Australia Medal for services to the Town of Bassendean.
Mr Cox will be sworn into office at a Special Council Meeting to be held on Tuesday 23 December at 7.00 pm and serve out the remainder of the term of office as North Ward Councillor lapsing at the date of the Local Government elections in October 2009.
“As a result of Mr Cox being elected unopposed, residents in the North Ward will not be required to vote in the Extraordinary Election,” said Mayor Klein.
