Steve Stefanopoulos named as Stonnington mayor again, but not everyone is happy
Stonnington Council will have the same mayor for the third year in succession — but the decision was far from unanimous.
Inner East
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Stonnington councillors have taken the unprecedented step of voting in the same mayor for three consecutive years after a heated council meeting.
Steve Stefanopoulos has taken the reins again after first being voted into the position in 2017.
But the move comes amid criticism from some councillors, who claimed the decision was made by a majority and without consulting them.
Cr Sally Davis also said that Cr Stefanopoulos had “sent a text to his supporters” the previous week informing them that he would be mayor again — something he denies.
“I don’t know of that at all,” he said.
“That wasn’t brought to my attention until the meeting.
“Nothing is determined until the council votes.
“I never made any announcement about that.”
Cr Davis, who was also nominated to become mayor, was critical of the council, describing it as not cohesive and needing to its focus and “make it more inclusive, more accountable, more transparent and with substantially more integrity”.
Cr Stefanopoulos said he was “pleasantly surprised” to have the support to continue for another year.
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“For me it is about that continuity to ensure that we have, with a new (chief executive Jacqui Weatherill) at the helm, it’s great to keep that steady ship going forward,” he said.
“The City of Stonnington has only twice ever appointed a mayor for two consecutive years, so it is rare to have two years in a row, let alone three.
“I know of other councils, like Port Phillip, that have mayors for two of three years consecutively, so it’s not unusual for Victoria, but it is for Stonnington.”
Cr John Chandler was named deputy mayor