Cr Sam Aziz was re-elected to the Springfield Ward.
By LIA SPENCER
FORMER City of Casey Mayor Sam Aziz has been re-elected to Springfield Ward.
The councillor said he felt fantastic after all the support he received and promised to deliver with all the drive and energy he could muster.
Cr Aziz said he was sad to see the loss of former fellow ward councillor Bob Halsall and former Four Oaks councillor Shar Balmes but looked forward to having “for the first time in a decade, a very stable and efficient council where all 11 councillors are extremely professional, with no political or personal agendas, and where the only objective is to deliver for our residents and make Casey the pride of Australia – a city full of beautiful suburbs and parks, great infrastructure, plenty of economic and job opportunities, and a very strong sense of community.”
Cr Aziz said the council needed to continue strengthening its economic growth and infrastructure development.
“We also need to think of every innovation possible to minimise rates increases – people are really hurting with cost of living pressures.
“I have a young family and I know exactly what it is like,” Cr Aziz said.
“We also need to look after vulnerable members of our community – they are our residents and Casey loves to look after its own.”
Cr Aziz said he would like councillors to be given portfolios of responsibility, so that every councillor could pursue his or her areas of interest to deliver for our ratepayers.
“My area of interest is jobs growth and economic development, and that was my focus as Mayor,” Cr Aziz said.
While he will not be putting his hand up for mayor again this term, he said he believed Mayfield Ward councillor Amanda Stapledon would be great for the job.
“She is an outstanding human being who has delivered in spades for her community,” Cr Aziz said.
Jo Wass was also elected to Springfield Ward but said she will not be accepting the position due to family reasons. A count back of votes could take six weeks (see Page 1).
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Residents cast 19,454 votes. First preference votes.
Jo Wass 1970
Louise Berkelmans 922
Robert Burns 952
Mary- Jo Cochrane 921
Rania Michael 1863
Alex Van Der End 1332
Barbara Joseph 679
Carly Sherring 1310
Rex Flannery 2918
Bob Halsall 1733
Sam Aziz 4854
