Randall remains optimistic
IT'S not over until the fat lady sings and for councillor candidate John Randall, she is remaining tight-lipped.
Yesterday Mr Randall was still optimistic the last ballots coming in would have a tick a next to his name to bump him from ninth place to land him at spot around the table.
The high-profile former council economic development officer - whom many had tipped to run for mayor - was trailing eighth-position contender Glyn Rees by nearly 700 votes as counting resumed yesterday.
But even if Mr Randall got in, the number of new councillors would likely remain at two.
"So many people expressed to me through the campaign the view that there needed to be change, but that hasn't been borne out so far," he said.
"But I believe people who leave it to the end of the campaign to vote behave differently to those who vote early.
"They are considering what to do the whole way through and these late votes could show a different trend."
Daily News readers took to both the website and Facebook to voice their delight or dismay at the result with some clearly unimpressed.
At least one online poster - oldmate89 from Allora - was disappointed not to see Mr Randall in the top eight yesterday.
"Cripes, what's the Tuesday (sic) Pig and Calf Sales, the Wednesday Cattle Sales, and even Killarney's Friday Market Day going to be like without Johnno's Mahindra out front anymore for all to see?" he wrote.
"This bloke would have to have been the most energetic candidate we've had around here for years. My mate, Lofty Toogood, used to play 'spot the Johnno' when driving around with his grandkids - one point for a sign, two points for the Mahindra and five points for Johnno himself. What a pity this bloke didn't get in, he would have given the sauce bottle a fair shake."
At least three thousand more votes are expected to arrive today.
The result will be officially declared next Tuesday.
Top eight
Ross Bartley 8210
Jo McNally 8194
Cameron Gow 6861
Vic Pennisi 6760
Jamie Mackenzie 6538
Neil Meiklejohn 6530
Denise Ingram 6253
