A story in yesterday’s Central Western Daily quoted Orange mayor Reg Kidd as saying he would endorse Orange City Council having an open show of hands to determine that city’s civic leaders

But the two candidates for the mayoral position being vacated by Cr Greg Matthews stated yesterday see pros and cons for both styles of election but admitted they will seek to have the Dubbo ballot a secret poll.

Cr Bartley, who admits he faces an uphill battle to upset the apparent 6-5 bias within council, said a secret ballot was the only way to ensure people vote they way they want to, not the way they were told to.

“Last year I went into the deputy mayor vote almost knowing I had six votes and I ended up with five,” he said.

“Wouldn’t it be amazing if it turned full circle this year?

“ I think I’ve got five votes but who knows, I may end up with six.

“Having a secret ballot allows people who may be thinking of voting outside bloc lines to do so without fear of retribution.”

Cr Bartley’s sentiments were echoed by Cr Smith, who said voting of such a personal nature should be kept secret.

“In some ways the secret ballot is a better process and our position has always been that that is the process we use,” he said.

“If people want to tell the media or other people afterwards who they voted for that is entirely up to them but the actual voting process should be kept a secret.”

While both men agreed they will probably vote for a secret ballot when the option gets put to the councillors tomorrow for the 5.30pm vote, Cr Bartley threw a spanner in the works by suggesting an open ballot may help Dubbo City Council given the turbulent 12 months it has encountered.

“There is an apparent 6-5 split in council at the moment which members of the supposed six deny,” he said.

“Maybe in the case of council at the moment, making people put their hands in the air and seeing where the chips fall would reveal whether that perception is correct.”

ben.walker@ruralpress .com