Mayor’s aim:

By Bridget Brady
Cr Wreford was elected as the new mayor of the City of Casey on Monday night after a close contest for the top position, taking out the role six votes to five from River Gum Ward councillor Lynette Keleher, who just completed her first year on the council.
Cr Wreford is the second woman to be elected as mayor of the City of Casey in 10 years, and will carry out her one-year role during the Year of Women in Local Government in 010.
The position of deputy mayor went to Four Oaks Ward councillor Shar Balmes.
Outgoing mayor Geoff Ablett joined other councillors in congratulating Cr Wreford on her appointment. She was first elected to council in 2003.
“I look forward to working with you,” Cr Ablett said.
Cr Wreford said she was deeply honoured to be elected and would take an inclusive approach to her leadership.
“I look forward to working with the community and stakeholders,” Cr Wreford said.
“I will do my best to be fair, impartial and honest …I want to make sure everyone’s views are heard.
“We have a great team of enthusiastic councillors with a strong vision for this city. I never want any of us to lose sight of the fact everything council does is for the community.”
Despite voting for her opponent, councillor Karen Baxter was full of praise for Cr Wreford, saying “I’m so inspired by her”.
Cr Wreford’s fellow ward councillor Sam Aziz said he was very proud to see his colleague in the mayoral robes and congratulated her “from the bottom of my heart”.
Several of the councillors told the News Cr Wreford’s experience and judgement would come to great use for the council.
Crs Lorraine Wreford, Sam Aziz, Geoff Ablett, Shar Balmes, Amanda Stapledon and Wayne Smith were the six who voted for Cr Wreford to be mayor, while Crs Lynette Keleher, Karen Baxter, Kevin Bradford, Daniel Mulino and Simon Curtis voted for Cr Keleher.