Councillor steps down

By Tania Martin
SHIRE of Yarra Ranges Chandler Ward councillor Alan Fincher has announced that he will not be running for reelection in November.
After more than six years on the council, Cr Fincher has opted for the quieter life and is looking forward to having more time to do a bit of travelling.
Cr Fincher said that before the council amalgamations more than 10 years ago he was involved with the Shire of Sherbrooke.
Enjoying his involvement in local government, Cr Fincher ran for election with the Shire of Yarra Ranges.
Six years later, Cr Fincher has spent two terms on the council, even serving a term as mayor in 200304. Cr Fincher said as a police officer his pet project while on the council was to improve road safety.
He said in his time on the council he had seen the employment of a fulltime road safety officer.
“Road safety issues are an ongoing battle and the employment of a road safety officer further bonded the partnership between local government and Police Victoria,” he said.
Cr Fincher said that he would continue his involvement with the road safety committee and continue his role as a police officer at Monbulk.
He said serving on the council has been extremely rewarding and that he was honoured to serve a term as the mayor.
“It has exceeded all my expectations and I have met a number of great people along the way,” Cr Fincher said.
Cr Fincher said one of the most important projects that he would continue to be involved in was the redevelopment of the Monbulk Community Centre.
He said the project was potentially a $5 million development and a lot of work was still required.
Cr Fincher said it was possible that former Silvan resident Graham Warren would stand as a candidate for Chandler Ward.
Cr Fincher said the upcoming election in November would see three of the wards up for grabs with mayor David Hodgett and Lyster Ward councillor Robyn Hale also stepping down.