City of Gosnells councillor expresses disappointment in colleagues quitting to run in State Election

COUNCILLOR Glen Dewhurst has attacked Pierre Yang and Terry Healy’s decision to leave the City of Gosnells council just five weeks out from the State Election.

Crs Pierre Yang and Terry Healy both quit their council positions after being selected to run for the Labor Party in the upcoming election.

The City has made the decision to continue operating with two less councillors until the local government election later this year.

Cr Dewhurst however expressed his disappointment in the pair for making the decision to stand down.

“I am disappointed that they pulled the pin,” he said.

“They have used their profile to try and get on the State Government.

“I’m annoyed; they didn’t call me or send me an email.”

Mr Healy said he had enjoyed working with Cr Dewhurst on the council and representing the people of the City .

“Stepping down from council was a hard decision to make, but it was the right decision in the interests of ratepayers. No by-election is required,” he said.

Mr Yang also said it was a difficult decision but the right one.

Both cited reasons of not being able to put their full-time and energy into working as a Gosnells councillor as the reason for the resignation.

Mr Healy’s term of office was not due to expire until the 2019 local government elections and Mr Yang’s term of office would have expired this October, when the next round of local government elections occur.

According to council minutes, the cost of holding an extraordinary election to fill the current vacancies would exceed $200,000.

The other option was for the council positions to remain vacant, which council accepted as no funds were included in City’s adopted budget for a by-election.

On Tuesday night, president of the Gosnells District Progress Ratepayers Association Sandy Baraiolo said the body was disappointed in the resignations of two councillors.

Nominations to run for council will open in late August.