GLEN Crompton swore he would “perform his duties to the best of my skills and judgement” and paid tribute to his family as he was sworn in as a councillor on Wednesday night.
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“I particularly single out my delightful daughters, who are the joys of my life, who will serve every day to remind of my responsibility to help build and develop the kind of Ballarat that they can grow up in,” Cr Crompton said.
Cr Crompton’s oath was administered by council’s acting chief executive officer, Natalie Reiter.
He placed second in the council vote in 2012, and was announced the new representative for central ward in the weeks following former mayor John Burt’s resignation in May.
Cr Crompton said he was not bringing any particular causes to council, but would follow the community’s lead.
“My job is to bring (to council) what the community want me to bring,” he said.
After he was announced as Mr Burt’s replacement, Cr Crompton said he would stay out of the political deal-making that led to Mr Burt’s resignation.
“I was quite open and adamant during the campaign that I have no political affiliations or aspirations. That will not change during my term in council.”
On Wednesday night, he re-affirmed this statement, saying it was “so far so good” after working with the current councillors to get a grasp of the job over the last few weeks, but said residents could be sure in “two-and-a-half years” when his current term ended.
Ballarat mayor Joshua Morris was positive about the impact Cr Crompton would have on the council, and his intellect.
“I think he’s one of the most well-read councillors-elect we’ve ever had,” he said.
“We’re at the point where we’ve developed some plans, so (it’s good) to have a fresh face to come in and assess where we are, and what we’re moving towards as a city.”
alex.hamer@fairfaxmedia.com.au