Mac Adams elected
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The deputy mayor in the last council, Ald C.C. "Mac" Adams, has been first elected to the new Port Macquarie Municipal Council.
A record number of 4077 voted at Saturday's election, representing 51 per cent of 8000 eligible to vote, and comparing very favourably with the overall state vote of 30 per cent.
When first preferences were announced late on Saturday night, Adams was on top with 747 votes.
A large number of informal votes, 257, which was 6.5 per cent, were recorded and a majority of these came from postal voters.
This large number will considerably affect the final result of the poll.
It has been shown by the first preference voting, and also in the count that resulted in Ald Adams being elected, that voters were determined to use their own judgment and not simply follow the how to vote tickets.
What developed into a pre-election power struggle between Ald Adams' group and Ald Westerweller's team of nine has found Ald Adams first elected and Ald Westerweller struggling for preferences to enable him to reach the "elected" figure as the count proceeds.
Flood mitigation
The Port Macquarie Municipal Council, at its last meeting held in the Municipal Council Chambers on Tuesday night, resolved that the Department of Public Works be requested to give an early reply in respect of the subsidy entitlement and availability for flood mitigation works at Hibbard-Settlement Point and that the matter be then considered further by council.
The municipal engineer, Eric Grogan, had recommended this at the conclusion of his report to council on the matter.
In his detailed report, Mr Grogan said: "A letter has been received from the Progress Association advising that at a conference, between representatives of the association and the Hastings Shire Council, the shire representatives stated that the proposal recommended in the 1969 Flood Mitigation Report prepared by the NSW Department of Public Works, as it affects the shire area, had been adopted.
"As a result the association was requesting council to adopt the scheme as it affects the municipality and submit an application for subsidy while the opportunity is available."
Jet rescue boat
The Carnival of the Pines jet rescue boat, purchased for the safety of Port Macquarie residents, was placed on display outside the Methodist Hall on Saturday.
Gilmore's Marine Centre acted as the Carnival of the Pines' agent in negotiating the purchase from Hamilton's Jets in Coffs Harbour at the best price.
The decision was made to purchase the boat and trailer while some $1500 of the $4500 required remains outstanding.
The Carnival Committee intends to continue fundraising efforts.
Boardriders first presentation night
The Port Macquarie Boardriders' Club held its first annual presentation night last Friday in the conference room of the Royal Hotel.
About 30 members and their guests attended the dinner. Guest speaker was Derek Crisp who also presented the trophies and pennants to the club champions.
Peter Hudson, secretary of the club, reported that membership had increased from 14 members, when the club started, to 42 members and two competitions with Coffs Harbour had been held.
Members of the club also entered the NSW State championships.