Canning mayor says council has ‘right mix’
Canning City council has the right mix to be a role model for other local authorities, says the mayor.
Following local government elections last month, the council now includes five men and five women, as well as mayor Patrick Hall.
Queens Park resident Karin Kralupper said she was pleased there was now an even balance at the council’s Oct. 28 meeting.
“You can never have enough women on board,” he said.
Mr Hall said he was “extremely pleased” with the makeup of the council and how “young” it was.
“Many people here still have young children and are working, but despite the challenges of balancing work with their municipal and family lives, they do so successfully and choose to serve their local communities,” he said.
“We have elected a number of exceptionally good councillors.
“A number of councilors have returned to the council for a second term and I’m really pleased with that. We’ve also elected two new councilors who will be exceptionally good for this community.
“And we have a former council member, Jesse Jacobs, back on the council, and I’m confident Jesse will be a solid contributor to the council.”
Ms Kralupper also praised the council and its staff, and Mr Hall asked if he could come every month.
He said the council had come a long way since he was sacked in 2013 and its reputation had been restored.
“I think people respect us and understand that we are actually a great council that is making progress and acting as a functional council should,” he said.
Canning resident George Beacroft, who attended the meeting to thank the council for the new parking rules, said he appeared to be the only former councilor still interested in the council.
“It’s a little disappointing because there was a lot of experience on the council that I was on,” he said.
“And it’s a shame to see them disappear into the woodwork and make no effort for future council.”
Mr. Hall said the city “probably lost a few people along the way” or they moved on to other things or moved out of town.
“We’ve lost a lot of our institutional knowledge and it’s always great to look at issues that come before the council with fresh eyes,” he said.
