Battle for mayor heats up

By Noel Murphy
GEELONG’S mayoral contest has drawn first blood with John Mitchell and challenger Frank Rozpara clashing over the public’s right to question council during meetings.
Voices were raised when Mayor Mitchell was confronted by Mr Rozpara with a demand for greater public input to debate in the council chamber.
According to deputy mayor Cameron Granger, Cr Mitchell developed “a bit of a head of steam out of frustration” as he tried to explain public gallery protocol.
“John was fired up… he tried to make his point but he had to repeat it several times and he got rather direct,” Cr Granger said.
Cr Mitchell defended his actions, shrugging off any suggestion it was untoward.
“He wanted to ask questions during debate and I said that’s not the way it’s run, if you get elected and want to change it, that’s entirely up to you and the new council,” Cr Mitchell said.
Mr Rozpara said he wasn’t perturbed by the exchange but maintained the public had inadequate access to question council about issues before decisions were taken.
The final ballot for the $170,000-a-year mayor’s job drew nine candidates: Cr Mitchell and Mr Rozpara, the Socialist Alliance’s Sue Bull, Geelong Football Club’s Ron Watt, publicist Stephanie Asher, businessman Keith Fagg, Geelong Chamber of Commerce boss Bernadette Uzelac, retiree Graeme Robin and an unknown candidate, John Smith.
Cr Mitchell and Mr Fagg are widely seen as the frontrunners but much depends on how candidate preferences are apportioned.
Cr Mitchell said he hoped everyone in the race was “running to win”.