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KEEPING THE SOUTH EAST INFORMED SINCE 1861
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Thursday, February 19, 2009
Sum lifestyle
INSIDE TOMORROW: NARACOORTE RACES FOUR PAGE FORM GUIDE LIFTOUT
Pegler may
tackle seat
BY JASON WALLACE
Email: jason@tbw.com.au
Email: jason@tbw.com.au
TWO mayors may go head to
head at next year’s state election
in the fight for the seat of Mount
Gambier.
Grant District Council’s Don
Pegler has refused to rule out
standing against Liberal candidate
and City Council mayor Steve
Perryman.
He told The Border Watch he
was considering running as an
independent after he failed to gain
Liberal endorsement when he stood
against Mr Perryman in the party’s
preselection contest.
“I wouldn’t commit myself at
this time, but our district needs
someone strong to fight for this area
and I’d be waiting to see who would
be standing first,” he said.
“If I’m not confident someone
standing would get in and do what
needs to be done I would stand,
but it is too far out to call at this
stage.”
Mr Pegler dismissed rumours
he would stand for the National
Party.
“If I stand it will be as an inde-
pendent,” he said.
If Mr Pegler does decide to
seek election, it would create an
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intriguing contest in the battle to
replace retiring Member for Mount
Gambier Rory McEwen.
Mr McEwen followed a route to
State Parliament similar to what
Mr Pegler may embark on, entering
State Parliament as an independ-
ent and former Grant Council chair
after failing to gain Liberal Party
endorsement.
He was narrowly successful at the
1997 election when he received 4530
votes and won on a two-candidate
preferred count with 10,093 against
Liberal Scott Dixon’s 10,041, which
included 8360 primaries.
As an independent with a high
profile following 10 years at the
helm of Grant Council and with
major candidates’ preferences
flowing his way, Mr Pegler would
provide a strong contest for Mr
Perryman.
While two of the region’s civic
leaders may battle at the election,
another, Wattle Range mayor Mark
Braes, said he was not planning
to enter the State Government
arena.
“I’m focused on my present role,
that keeps you busy enough,” he
said.
“While there is nothing unusual
about mayors running for state or
federal elections, my view person-
ally is that while I’m the mayor that
is what I should concentrate all my
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energies on.”
Meanwhile, developer and former
Grant District councillor Brenton
James has rejected a request to
stand for Family First, but has not
ruled out contesting the election.
He said he did not have the time
to campaign for the political party,
but would consider standing as an
independent.
“Never say never,” he said,
adding while he supported Family
First, he did not agree with all their
policies.
“If anyone wanted to do the right pSouth Australia’s Rural Woman of the Year, Susi Tegen from Furner.
thing by Mount Gambier it would
be best served as an independent
with one foot either side of the fence, Susi named top rural woman
trying to barter for the best possible SUSI Tegen from Furner was yester- “Susi is a terrific example of the
position for the town,” he said. day named South Australia’s Rural significant contribution women are
“Rory decided to go with a min- Woman of the Year. making, not only in their local com-
isterial position with Labor and I Ms Tegen and her husband David munity, but also to the rural industries
don’t know that I’m convinced that own a mixed beef, sheep and cropping that provide the lifeblood of our rural
has benefited the region.” operation, and utilise their university towns and centres,” he said.
Meanwhile, Labor Party branch education by working off farm. The Rural Industries Research and
leader Jim Maher said “a small A mother of two, Ms Tegen is also Development Corporation provided
number of hugely capable people” managing director of Free Eyre, a Ms Tegen with a $10,000 bursary for
had voiced interest in standing for farmer driven group which identifies winning the award.
Labor at the election, including opportunities for new businesses on She plans to put the money towards a
previous endorsed candidates. the Eyre Peninsula. study project looking at new generation
He said the branch hoped to She previously led the Limestone farmer-driven businesses to determine
have a preferred candidate identi- Coast Division of General Practice. the structure and processes that are
fied by September for the March Agriculture Minister Rory McEwen financially, socially and environmen-
election. said the award seeks to encourage tally sustainable and successful.
“There are two or three really rural women to take on leadership The national Rural Woman of the
engaging hats in the ring,” he roles. Year will be announced in May.
said.
TV GUIDE Page 12 COMICS Page 20 CLASSIFIEDS Pages 21-23
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