Clarke elected to Hay Shire Council and fills vacated position

Following the resignation of Mr Peter Dwyer from Council, the NSW Electoral Commission has concluded its countback process and declared Mr Darren Clarke the successful candidate to take his place as a Hay Shire Councillor.

“It is with equal amounts of pride and humility that I accepted the councillor position on Hay Shire Council vacated by Mr Peter Dwyer” Mr Clarke told The Grazier.

“Traditionally the election of councillors to their positions is a group process whereby some candidates are successful, some are not and equally some councillors are returned to office and some are not.

“Unlike a State or Federal election, one candidate is not directly running against another candidate for a single position.

“Hence, when I received the phone call on Friday afternoon to indicate my successful election in the Shire ‘by election’ I was very humbled.

“In this instance my candidacy was directly pitted against other very worthy candidates and, in many ways much more daunting, I am stepping directly into the shoes of the outgoing Councillor.

“The fact that this Councillor was Peter “DY” Dwyer, makes my success and need for ongoing responsibility even more daunting. If I can be half the Councillor DY was, then I will indeed have done very well and represented Hay to the best of my ability.

“So I am very humbled to accept this position and will always strive to uphold the responsibility the people of Hay have placed on my shoulders.”

The next council meeting will be held on September 27, where Mr Clarke will undertake his oath and commence official duties.