Election results and the bridge's future.

From Save Cuttagee Bridge Facebook post:

The results in the recent Council election strongly indicate that there is a definite appetite for change in our community and a strong desire for a different way of seeing and doing things.
With that in mind, Save Cuttagee Bridge will be active in ensuring the previous Council’s and State Government’s commitment to a clear and open process of restoring the bridge is honoured and stays on track.
We congratulate Councillor Helen O’Neil for her outstanding performance in the Mayoral election. Helen gained 5578 first preference votes to Russell Fitzpatrick’s 4,511. With the distribution of second preferences, Russell Fitzpatrick was narrowly elected Mayor by just 36 second preference votes.
Despite Helen having the highest first preference votes in the mayoral election, Mitch Nadin was elected Deputy Mayor at a subsequent Council meeting, five votes (Councillors Fitzpatrick, Allen, Porter, Noble and Nadin) to Helen’s four (Councillors Daly, Haggar, Mudaliar and O’Neil).
Not only does this vote lack a sense of fairness and generosity, one wonders what the point of a popularly elected mayor is if community sentiment can be so blatantly disregarded in relation to the deputy mayor. On the bright side, the vote indicates that there are now at least four councillors who are there to work in the interests of the community and are committed to positive change.
Cathy Griff, former Greens Councillor and Deputy Mayor, did not stand for re-election and was replaced by Peter Haggar. Cathy made a very significant contribution to our community during her eight years on Council. We extend our sincere thanks to Cathy for her ongoing efforts in the fight to Save Cuttagee Bridge, for bringing the voice of reason and open-mindedness to Council, and remaining steadfast in the face of disheartening and relentless opposition. Save Cuttagee Bridge will miss her.
We are now looking forward to the GHD analysis of the three remaining options for the bridge at Cuttagee. We know that Helen and the councillors who supported her for Deputy Mayor will work to ensure that this process is open and takes account of the wishes of our community. Stay tuned.