Cop in votes windfall

Alex de Vos
Torquay policeman Brian McKiterick is in the box seat for a place on Surf Coast Shire council after winning top spot on the ballot paper and the most second preferences in a field of 15 candidates.
He secured the second preferences of retired policeman Michael Lewis, incumbent Mayor Dean Webster and former journalist Libby Coker, along with thirds from councillor Rose Hodge and Surfrider Foundation candidate John Foss.
Sergeant McKiterick directed his second preference to Mr Lewis despite launching his campaign as part of a For Our Community Group with Ms Coker and Crs Webster and Hodge.
Mr Lewis was not included as a For Our Community member in the launch.
Sgt McKiterick directed his third preference to Ms Coker and fourth and fifth to Crs Webster and Hodge respectively.
Crs Webster and Hodge said they had no problem with Sgt McKiterick directing his second preference away from For Our Community members to Mr Lewis.
“We encouraged him (Sgt McKiterick) to do that because they have similar backgrounds and we thought it would be a good idea,” Cr Webster said.
“But one thing we all value is our community and we’re here for the community and not for political gain.”
Both councillors denied For Our Community represented an election ticket attempting to win council seats through “bloc-voting”.
“We’re individuals and we’re doing what we want,” Cr Hodge said.
“People are saying we’re voting in a bloc, which we’re not and it’s obvious from our preferences. We have our individual opinions.”
Crs Webster and Hodge failed to attract second preferences.
Anglesea’s councillor Jim Tutt swapped second preferences with Torquay’s Garry Kerr, who runs a business at Anglesea.
Outspoken councillor Ron Humphrey swapped second preferences with Torquay Senior Citizens Centre’s Elizabeth Wapshott.
Sgt McKiterick and Ms Coker did not return the Independent’s calls for comment on Tuesday before the paper went to press yesterday afternoon.
Council candidates supplied their preference orders to Victorian Electoral Commission this week. Preferences usually play a crucial role in deciding council elections, with few candidates winning seats on primary votes alone.
Victoria will run its first simultaneous statewide council election this year, with the postal vote finishing on November 29.