By Jessica Micallef
Macedon Ranges councillor Janet Pearce is looking forward to “advocating on important issues” in the region after she was voted in as mayor for a second term.
The West ward councillor was re-elected at a special council meeting last Wednesday. She will be joined by councillor Mandi Mees as deputy mayor for a second term.
It was a tight contest between Cr Pearce and Cr Natasha Gayfer for the role of mayor, with Cr Pearce winning a majority of votes 5-4.
Looking back at her first year as mayor, Cr Pearce said it was a “tremendous honour” to work alongside her fellow councillors.
“We are diverse and that’s a really positive thing,” she said. “We support and participate in our community in many different ways. We listen to people in our community and we all make what we believe are the best decisions for the whole community.
“We are aware of … providing value for ratepayers money and being inclusive of our community.”
Cr Pearce said becoming more involved with the community was the “highlight by far” during her first term as mayor.
“It [the community] is … the most enjoyable aspect of the mayoral role,” she said.
“Thank you for all the invitations and opportunities to attend, celebrate, meet, listen to people’s stories and be part of the wonderful community.
“We have a short time on council and I want to be out and about hearing your thoughts.”
Cr Pearce said there had been “extremely high level, important work” done during her first term as mayor. She said she was committed to continuing the work.
“We have made innovative and brave decisions in the waste and recovery area, truly epitomising the definition of teamwork and we are seen as leaders in Victoria in this area,” she said
