Council starts hunt for new CEO as shire awaits inquiry result

Michael Sinclair-Jones

TOODYAY’S recently elected shire council has started looking for a new Chief Executive Officer.

It follows a controversial backflip by the former council in July to give current CEO Stan Scott (right) a 2.5 per cent pay rise to stay another year after voting only two months earlier not to renew his contract.

The new council voted 6-3 behind closed doors last month to call tenders for a CEO recruitment consultant based on ‘scope of services, experience, personnel and pricing’.

Mr Scott was authorised to report to the next council meeting at 4pm on Tuesday December 17 with specifications for hiring a consultant to help select his replacement.

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Voters demand change

Toodyay’s new shire council at its first meeting last month: President Bill Manning (top table, second from right) next to Deputy President Rosemary Madacsi. Front table, from left: Crs Susan Pearce, Phil Hart, Beth Ruthven, Brian Rayner, Ben Bell and Therese Chitty (Cr Paula Greenway absent on approved leave). Executive Assistant Maria Rebane and Shire CEO Stan Scott are seated next to President Manning. Seated separately on the right: Shire Community Services Manager Audrey Bell and Planning and Development Manager Kobus Nieuwoudt.

New president elected as shire awaits outcome of
State Government inquiry

 

By Michael Sinclair-Jones
NEW SHIRE President Bill Manning says he is confident all members of a radically altered Toodyay council elected last month can “work together as a united team”.

His statement followed the swearing in of four new councillors after a big turn-out of local voters backed a united call for change.

President Manning and Cr Ben Bell were also sworn in after retaining their seats with a similar reform agenda at the October 19 WA local government elections.

The new-look council signals a major shift in policy direction after years of division and rancour.

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Duke Street footbridge re-opens after 18 month closure

From left: Shelagh and Don Garratt, and Karen and Luigi Jacomelli use the re-opened Duke Street footbridge that links two parts of Toodyay separated by the busy east-west railway line.

TOODYAY’S Duke Street footbridge has re-opened a year after it was closed amid threats to demolish it over safety concerns.

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New video security system doubles town surveillance

A workman (right) installs a new shire video security camera near the Victoria Hotel.

A NEW video security upgrade costing more than $300,000 is expected to become operational in Toodyay this month.

New monitors at Toodyay Police Station will enable 24-hour surveillance of the town’s approach roads, public spaces and main business and shopping areas.

A new network of 41 cameras owned and operated by the Shire of Toodyay will more than double the capacity of the old network, which has been dismantled.

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Toodyay apple pies judged Australia’s best

TOODYAY’S local bakery had its best result ever, scoring four gold and three silver medals at last month’s Great Aussie Pie Competition in Sydney.

Pastry chef Jodi Johnston’s cinnamon swirl crust on her apple pie made it stand out from the crowd.

Toodyay baker Jason Marion said he was extremely proud of his team, which uses local produce wherever possible.

Their award-winning pastries, cakes and bread helped attract visitors to Toodyay and boost trade for other Avon Valley small businesses, he said.

Toodyay Bakery’s first-year apprentice Olivia Jarquin (left) and pastry chef Jodi Johnston bake a fresh batch of their national award-winning apple pies.

Mighty Lions roar in nail-biter grand final

The Toodyay Lions celebrate their thrilling two-point Mortlock League footy grand final win after trailing Goomalling for most of last month’s epic showdown. Toodyay lost three times to Goomalling earlier this year, including a heavy semi-final defeat two weeks previously, and lost big man Ben Jenkins to injury after the first term. Photo: Chelsea Phelps.

Thousands of punters flock to 2019 Toodyay Picnic Races

Race 2 jump at the start of the 1100m Vernice Handicap. Photo: Clive Millett.

Plead The Fifth ridden by Ryan Hill wins the Toodyay Cup.

In the packed undercroft – Where’s Wally?

 

In the VIP enclosure (from left): Toodyay Shire Deputy President Therese Chitty, WA Nationals Party MP Jacqui Boydell, WA Nationals MP Martin Aldridge’s Electorate Officer Lisa Logan and WA Nationals Leader and Toodyay Race Club Patron Mia Davies.

 

 

 

 

Cup-winning owners Ed Hogarth (left), John Rigby and Ivy Hogarth from Perth-based Goldlight Nominees Syndicate.

 

 

 

Vino Art Exhibition open with a splash

This year’s Vino Art Exhibition opened at Toodyay’s Coorinja Winery with a feast of colour and a superb selection of local works for sale. The three-day show attracted several Perth buyers.

Shire spends $700,000 on lawyers

– and that’s only in the last four years

By Michael Sinclair-Jones

THE SHIRE of Toodyay says it has spent a total of $699,481 of ratepayers’ money on lawyers in the last four financial years.

The figure was revealed by Shire President Brian Rayner (left) at last month’s council meeting in answer to a written question on notice from Cr Ben Bell.

President Rayner said the money was spent on nine different law firms.

The sum forms part of a larger amount dating back to 2013 when the shire spent $571,000 on a single law firm in a failed bid to sue two former civic leaders for $151,000 – and got back only $60,000 in return.

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