Most of the Dubbo Regional Councillors are remaining tight-lipped over whether or not they will be running for mayor or deputy mayor this Thursday.
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This is the first mayoral election since the amalgamation with Wellington.
When asked about their intention to run for mayor in the election only four councilors responded and only two of those councilors completely ruled it out.
Crs John Ryan and Stephen Lawrence both refused to answer whether they were running for mayor or not.
"I don't comment publicly on that issue, there's enough chatter about without me getting involved," Cr Ryan said.
Crs Dayne Gumley and David Grant said they would not be running for the positions of mayor or deputy mayor.
Although both councillors would like to see a cohesive council in the next two years.
"I'd like to see a continuation of a council which acts in a mature way. Where issues are sorted out with one another rather than in slanging matches on the front page as we've seen in that past," Cr Gumley said.
"This council has achieved great things in two years because of broad consensus and sensible disagreement. I look forward to that continuing."
What do you think?
Cr Lawrence said a cohesive council will guide all his decisions.
"My concern is to have a balanced, united and effective council. That will guide all my decisions," he said.
Current Mayor Ben Shields, current Deputy Mayor Anne Jones, Crs Jane Diffey, Vicki Etheridge, Greg Mohr and Kevin Parker did not respond when asked about their intentions for running for mayor or deputy mayor.
The mayor election will take place at an extraordinary meeting of Dubbo Regional Council at 5pm on Thursday at the council chambers.
Any Councillor can nominate themselves to be mayor but they must have at least one other councilor supporting them.
The councillors will decide how to vote at Thursday evening's meeting. It may be undertaken by secret ballot of open vial something like a show of hands.
The councilors will also be voting on the formation of new committees, panels and working parties as well as the dates and times of future meetings.
The vote will be open to the public to attend.
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