RETURNING Wattle Range councillor Dennis Muhovics has ruled out a second bid for the mayoralty.
He was mid-way through a European vacation last month when he won the supplementary election for the position on Corcoran Ward, vacated by former deputy mayor Glenn Brown.
Cr Muhovics secured almost two-thirds of the primary vote so there was no need to allocate preferences.
The Millicent businessman polled 1098 first preference votes in the supplementary election, well ahead of Nicole Looby-McRostie (329), Ryan Jellesma (186) and Klaus Emmerich (30).
Cr Muhovics previously served as a Corcoran ward representative from 2014-18, but was defeated for the mayoralty a year ago by newcomer Des Noll.
Speaking to The South Eastern Times this week just after his return from Europe, Cr Muhovics said he was grateful for the backing of the community in the supplementary election.
Cr Muhovics also thanked the three unsuccessful candidates for their interest.
“I will be happy being a councillor and I have no intention of seeking the position of either mayor or deputy mayor,” Cr Muhovics said.
“I have had my go at being elected the mayor.”
He has not ruled out the possibility of seeking a further term as one of the five Corcoran Ward representatives when his current term expires in three years.
“I will be 69 years of age when the next council elections are held in 2022.
“I will be sworn in by a Justice of the Peace at 4.30pm on November 12 and this is just before the next monthly council meeting.
“I am looking forward to working with Des (Noll), my fellow councillors and the executive leadership team.
“Des is doing a good job as mayor and he has a different style of leadership.
“He relates well with people and this comes from his previous work as a police officer.
“I received a briefing about council matters from Des and council chief executive Ben Gower on Monday.”
According to Cr Muhovics, there will be some council matters which will command his attention.
They include the future of the Millicent saleyards, rating models and governance issues.
Council has set aside $20,000 in its 2019/20 budget for expenses relating to the supplementary election.
