There is a mayoral challenge on for next week's extra ordinary meeting of Wellington Council and it's understood Cr Rod Buhr could be under pressure from at least two candidates.
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The social media rumour mill went into overdrive on Monday when Cr Alison Conn posted a message on Facebook.
"About to get myself in trouble again but Mayoral elections coming up in Wello. Tell me who you think I should vote for (not me)," she wrote.
The councillor let the "cat out of the bag" making the race for mayor public.
While locals have no vote on mayor position that decision is in the hands of councillors for now, she invited community members to offer their opinions about the possibilities.
In the end with nine councillors it will be a numbers game.
To some this is a destabilising period and it's happening as Wellington Council comes under scrutiny for its Fit For the Future Improvement proposal with Cr Buhr saying tough decisions may have made him unpopular.
"My priority has and will always be making sure we have a council which is fit for the future and focuses on improving our infrastructure. I believe that is what is in the best interests of our community in the long term," he said.
It's understood former mayor Anne Jones, who scored the most votes at the most recent local government elections and was beaten 5-4 in the vote for the top job, is looking to see if the numbers are there for a run against Cr Buhr. Cr David Grant, who is the deputy mayor, also has support according to insiders.
The councillor said while he does aspire to the job eventually he would talk with people in relation to it and would be discussing the election possibilities with the mayor in the next few days.
It's understood some councillors are making their mind up over whom they should support it would then be a month before IPART hands down a recommendation on Wellington Council's future whether it has the strength to remain a stand alone entity or it should be merged with neighbouring Dubbo and Narromine.IPART are currently looking at all councils for their recommendations but Sydney's local government areas seem to be most in danger but the local government minister Paul Toole says no one is immune. The political cross fire comes at a time when major infrastructure projects appear to be stalled. The main street beautification project will go before council again in September the Wellington. The project named by NSW Deputy premier Troy Grant: revitalisation of Wellington's Central Business District and villages was announced in July of 2014 and more than one year later the consultants have been called back to look over the costs and many of the changes to the main street may not happen. Councillors just haven't been able to make a decision on the much heralded project.The most controversial topic is the tearing down on the Cameron Park wall to open the park up to showcase its beauty even more.Wednesday night's meeting is looming as a packed house affair and the intrigue will go on all the way to the 5.30pm end where Wellington's mayor and deputy mayor and on paper it is expected to be a headline grabber.
