FREMANTLE council will have to hold a by-election to replace former deputy mayor Josh Wilson, who’s been forced to resign because he’s standing for federal Parliament.
Not many people would realise, but Mr Wilson is taking a financial hammering by running as Labor’s candidate for the seat of Fremantle.
And it’s not just his council allowances he’s forgoing.
Having been a trusted adviser to Labor MPs Carmen Lawrence and Melissa Parke for more than 10 years, Mr Wilson qualified for a Commonwealth termination payment.
But when he was bought in to replace the dumped Chris Brown, Mr Wilson was forced under federal laws to quit his job. That means he’s no longer eligible for the payment.
He also told the Herald that after originally losing pre-selection to Mr Brown, he successfully applied for a job at Curtin University, and had just been sent the contract to sign when he heard of his political comeback.
That’s now had to be filed away and he groans that if he doesn’t win, he’ll be unemployed.
At Wednesday’s council meeting, Mr Wilson paid tribute to mayor Brad Pettitt during his farewell speech.
He said the mayor had reigned without ego, making it a collegiate and successful council to work with.
Dave Coggin was voted in as his replacement.
by STEVE GRANT
So who will pay for the cost of a new election, oh the rate payers I guess.
If Mr Wilson was planning to run for pre-selection, he should have resigned before the last election.
I do like his comment about the Mayors reign without ego, I guess if that was true he would not have used the word reign, nice subtle shot.
The question is, has Freo ever had a Mayor with a bigger ego, no your right no chance.
His shocking attempts at any media opp showes his ego and self importance.
Has Fremantle ever had a worse Mayor or Council.
A clear image of what Fremantle can expect from one of its federal candidates, as the deputy mayor abandons his council sworn responsibilities to further his own political future at rate payers expense.
This is the sad focus of the current Fremantle Councillors viewing council as a stepping stone into a bigger political future, all done at Rate payers expense.
Showing what sort of politicians they will be at a state or federal level, self centred.
I noticed Josh’s add the title Cash Blow below the story. Not sure who the cash blow is for as its the new election that will cost the city money, everything else is Josh’s choice?
Bit strange he claims to wants to deliver freight solutions but doesn’t want the Roe 8 or PFL.
So how does he intend to improve the freight out of the Fremantle Port as I read its suppose to get worse not better even with the outer harbour plan.
So how many decades will we have to put up with congestion around Fremantle.
I also read that labor is for new road and bridge work for Armadale and Cockburn, Strange how new roads can help congestion issues in one location but not the other.
Another clear case of saying whatever the party line is instead of whats good for the broader community.
Looks like he has not got the horse behind the cart but looks like he has sold the horse and is pulling the cart himself.
I wonder what his plan is for the local traffic issues without a Roe 8 and PFL style set up for Fremantle.
How many accidents, how many deaths before our media moderated politics does whats needed instead of whats populist within their minority cliques?