Who is geelong mayor

But Fagg, in tears, resigned in August citing ill health. Soon after, Costa went public to claim the mayor had been bullied out of the job. He did not name the bullies but Fairfax Media understands Costa meant Fagg had been bullied by fellow councillors and municipal officers. It seems that while backing a candidate they saw as friendly, the Costa clique didn't ensure their man had the experience or the political savvy that even a directly elected lord mayor needs to survive the snakepit of local government politics.

Coalition insiders have acknowledged that Fagg's resignation, just nine months into a four-year term, was problematic in that it triggered an unwanted local election in the lead up to the state poll. At the time, the council was caught up in a controversy around alleged pork-barreling and councillors' spending millions of dollars since the mids in their local wards.

This, combined with the disappointment of Fagg's resignation, had left the government apprehensive about another election. Costa says other options, including sacking the council and appointing an administrator, were and remain an option. This week Costa told Fairfax Media that, on hearing of Fagg's intention to resign in August, he spoke to Napthine whom he says was reluctant to have another election because of the cost, and also because of his concern about the lack of a suitable candidate.

Costa says he believes the government proceeded with the election on the basis that he and his friends would find a strong replacement candidate. That candidate is former mayor and local businessman Keith Jarvis. At press time, Napthine had not responded to Costa's recollection of the details of their conversation, which he says took place at a breakfast meeting of the Premier's business roundtable at the Treasury building on August 13 - three days before the mayor announced his resignation.

If accurate, Costa's recollection of the August discussion with the Premier raises questions about the Coalition's commitment to local democracy, a key platform at the state election. His comments also underline the pressure both he and Jarvis are under to deliver; to win the mayoral race. Costa has gathered a group of business ''friends'' to fund an expensive advertising campaign in support of Jarvis who, as mayor in the late s, was known for his doomed bid to win a Guggenheim museum for Geelong.

Costa's campaign has included a string of full page advertisements in the Geelong Advertiser , including a negative advertisement aimed at Darryn Lyons, despite the fact that Lyons and Jarvis have decided to share second preferences.

Jarvis emphasises his close working relationship with Napthine through their work on government committees. He notes that he also knows Prime Minister Tony Abbott ''quite well''.

He tells Fairfax Media his relationship with Napthine would be important, especially ahead of next year's state election. Jarvis is a self-described conservative and Liberal sympathiser. To date he has run a traditional campaign, focused on advertising in the Geelong Advertiser. He has not done as well with securing preferences - other than from Lyons - as his powerful backers would have hoped.

In contrast Darren Lyons' political pitch is a stream of consciousness rant about vision and energy and youth. His campaign is a presidential-style barnstorm across the city, replete with trailers, T-shirts, and non-stop public appearances. Responding to a negative advertisement placed by Costa and friends, Lyons has called on Geelong to ignore the city's "old grey brigade" in favour of youth and energy.

He points to his , Twitter followers, and describes himself as a candidate of the people, not beholden to business or the government. His profile on the Geelong council website yesterday said he was a resident of Barwon Heads. Cr McMullin, a dispute resolution lawyer, denied his candidacy was an attempt by Labor's right to sabotage the campaign of Mr Fowles. He said he would fund his own campaign and could not discuss his policies yet, but Melbourne's greatest challenge was accommodating the city's growth.

Mr Fowles, 30, announced his intentions in August and won the support of local Labor members. However, he failed in his bid to be formally endorsed by the party's administrative committee. Greens candidate Adam Bandt said voters would need to consider whether Labor apparatchiks were what the city needed. Pollster Gary Morgan and former lord mayor Kevin Chamberlin said they were still to decide.

Geelong councillor to run for mayor. THE Geelong council is likely to be sacked, which means colourful character Darryn Lyons will be forced from his mayoral throne. A MAN with a surgical sixpack and a pretty questionable haircut is known for his successful career. Darryn Lyons has been in the face of J. How did a man, who had quickly risen from a small-town newspaper snapper to a politician, suddenly find his governance crumbling around him?

Victorian Minister for Local Government Natalia Hutchins introduced a bill into parliament today that suggested the dismissal of Geelong council. Ms Halliday found there was a culture rife with bullying, sexism and favouritism within Geelong council. The council will now go into administration until , with Yehudi Blacher announced as the interim administrator.