Ruff treatment: Lulu launches her campaign on the steps of City Hall with Bob Hynes.
By Michelle Herbison
GEELONG’S upcoming mayoral election has become both a two-horse and a dog race, according to a former community association president.
St Leonards’ Bob Hynes said he was offering his dog, Lulu, as a third mayoral candidate because he was “barking mad” about a “lack of service” from council.
“As a protest vote we want people to vote for Lulu to send a message to the local government department that we’re not really interested.”
Mr Hynes said Lulu would join the dogfight between candidates Mayor John Mitchell and businessman Keith Fagg, both of whom had “little to offer residents”.
Council was barking up the wrong tree spending ratepayers’ money on additional mayoral costs instead of investing in services for the community, he said.
Council’s budget includes $160,000 in civic allowances for the directly-elected mayor.
Election costs including a separate ballot for the mayor would dig a $650,000 hole in council funds.
Mr Hynes said eight years ago council earmarked a project to build footpaths and seal Murradoc Rd at St Leonards’ entrance but the work was “still no closer to getting it done”.
“And it took a number of years to get our new supermarket up because of ridiculous rules. We want council to do what we want, not what they want.”
Lulu’s “co-campaigner”, Karen Reiter, said discontent with council was “running through town”.
“We pay a lot of rates and don’t get a lot of services for it. Lulu is not going to take a salary except for a couple of dog biscuits.”
Cr Mitchell was unimpressed by Mr Hynes’ dogged comments.
“I wouldn’t even dignify Bob, who’s a failed candidate for council, with an answer.”
Mr Fagg also declined to comment on the Lulu campaign.
But he said the direct election of the mayor was “in many ways a potentially game-changing opportunity for Geelong”.
“With good leadership council can go forward and develop opportunities Geelong needs to make the economy and the community stronger. (The direct election) is.”
Mr Fagg said council could offset the added costs of a directly-elected mayor in its budget.
The Independent reported in April that preferential voting would choose the mayor.
Voters would receive two ballot papers, one for their ward and one for the mayor, State Government said.
Residents will vote in Victorian council elections on October 27.
