INCUMBENT mayor Richard Sage has narrowly survived a major challenge to take victory in the Grant District Council Local Government elections.
Mr Sage – who will now serve his third term as mayor – defeated a challenge from councillor Alan Hill by just 115 votes.
More than 2300 formal votes was counted in the voluntary community plebiscite.
The distribution of preferences were also finalised for the central ward yesterday with incumbents Bruce Bain, Barry Kuhl and Julie Reis being comfortably returned.
Following a number of vacancies, a number of new faces will take their seats in the chamber.
Optometrist Brad Mann was among the new contenders to be elected after scoring the highest first preference votes in the 11 candidate field for just seven positions.
Other new faces also include Yahl’s Kylie Boston, OB Flat resident Megan Dukalskis and Racecourse Bay identity Jody Elliott.
Speaking to The Border Watch after the results were announced, Mr Mann said he looked forward to taking his seat on the council.
Mr Mann – who has lived in the Grant district for 30 years – said he nominated because he wanted to learn the inner workings of the council.
“I also want to take part in shaping the community,” he said.
Revealing he had no plans to force a particular agenda, Mr Mann said he wanted to learn as much as he could and “put back into the community”.
In particular, he said he wanted the council to work collaboratively as a team to “get things happening and ensure the best use of ratepayers’ money”.
Mr Mann also expressed his delight there was an even mix of men and women on the council.
Incumbents Shirley Little and Gill Clayfield – contesting the Tarpeena and Port MacDonnell wards – have been re-elected unopposed.
Challengers who failed to gain a quota included Des Scheidl, Robert Elliott, Byron Gilmore and Tony Burch.
Mr Sage could not be contacted yesterday.
