As expected Steve Toms was voted in as mayor at Thursday night’s Glen Innes Severn Council meeting but in a stunning move to upset the status quo, Carol Sparks has been voted in as deputy mayor.
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The first-time councillor defeated former mayor Colin Price for the deputy’s job.
Secret discussions were held among councillors after it was reported in the Glen Innes Examiner that Toms and Price would run a ticket.
Cr Toms previously served as mayor for seven years, before leaving council in 2012, at which time Cr Price became mayor.
Concerned the two would dominate decision making, the other councillors backed Sparks for the deputy’s job.
Mrs Sparks said she had also fielded calls from the public to break a possible Toms and Price political duopoly.
Cr Price was visibly angry after the decision.
Meanwhile. the new mayor paid tribute to Cr Price and said the decisions made by the council he led will be appreciated in the years to come.