Now that Lismore’s Mayor Isaac Smith has handed in his resignation, the task of choosing the next Mayor will fall to Lismore City Council’s eight remaining Councillors at the next Council meeting on February 9 next year. Read more about Cr Smith’s resignation: Isaac Smith resigns as Mayor of Lismore

The councillors will then vote on which of them will become mayor until the local government elections take place in September 2021. It will be a time for whoever is voted in as to show the community what they can do as mayor before the polling booths open later in the year.

So, after drought, pandemic, floods and fires caused havoc in our corner of the world, who out of our current councillors will put their hands up for this challenging top job?

Cr Neil Marks

At the moment, Cr Neil Marks is the Deputy Mayor, and the mayoral duties have already fallen into his hands since Cr Smith took leave in November. He has also held the deputy position once before, when Jenny Dowell was Lismore’s mayor.

“I’ve already been standing in as mayor and will continue to do so until the February meeting,” Cr Marks said. “I do intent to put my hand up for mayor – but the outcome will depend on who councillors deem to be best.

“I took on the role knowing it will be demanding of my time and knowing I would be running most of workshops as Isaac was very busy. You always need to step up when you are acting in a community role like this and it’s good there’s a break over Christmas to take a deep breath until the next workshops begin in late January.”

Cr Darlene Cook

Cr Darlene Cook has also taken on the deputy mayor role during her term as councillor, and said she intends to run for mayor at the September election.

“So, I imagine I will put my hand in February for mayor and see how my peers feel about me taking on the role,” she said.

“Councillors need to realise this is a full time job. Isaac struggled to do two full time jobs and it was difficult for him. Lismore deserves someone capable of giving the job their full attention.”

Cr Cook said her term as deputy mayor was challenging and she learned a lot, including how to handle media and not be nervous when giving speeches. She said it is important to her to be a voice for the outlying villages in the Lismore LGA.

“I’m the only councillor who lives outside of town and I try my best to attend village forums and events,” she said. “Especially in Nimbin to make sure they have a voice – they feel as though they don’t get enough and want more representation.”

Cr Nancy Casson

Cr Nancy Casson said she is definitely going to throw her hat in the ring for the February vote for mayor, but thinks it’s unlikely she’ll be chosen by her peers.

“I put my hand up for deputy mayor in September, but didn’t get it,” she said. "Crs Lloyd and Guise voted for me and the rest voted for Cr Marks.

“I was down about it, but a friend said it’s council voting, but if it was the community voting, I would get it.”

Cr Casson said while she was looking forward to running as an independent at next September’s election, the downside was the costs she had to bear.

“It costs 18K to run alone in an election, so you do a lot of knocking on doors to get donations for printing and other costs.

“I have all those costs and the next term of office is only for three years – until 2024 - not four like usual, because Covid made the current term a year longer.”

Cr Elly Bird

Cr Elly Bird said it was still early days at this stage about whether or not she would put up her hand as mayor.

“But, yes I plan on putting my hand up - but will be making my mind up in the new year,” she said.

“I was deputy mayor in 2018 and I know that being mayor is a real challenge, but it’s an honour. I’m sure whoever is chosen will do a good job.

“I want to acknowledge the work Isaac Smith put in over last four years through a number of challenges we have faced, and he did a good job. I wish his all the best in his

endeavours.”

Cr Bill Moorhouse

Cr Bill Moorhouse said he won't be putting his hand up for the role of mayor.

The Lismore App also contacted Crs Vanessa Ekins, Adam Guise and Edie Lloyd, but we are still waiting to hear from them.