Jenny Whitney: I’m still in with a chance as mayor

INCUMBENT Whitsunday mayor Jennifer Whitney has remained defiant in the face of her position in the mayoral race, saying she’s not willing to admit defeat just yet.

“The counting’s not over yet,” she said.

“I personally feel I’m still in with a chance when they count the votes from this end of town.”

With northern voters throwing their support behind incumbent deputy mayor Andrew Willcox for the top job, Cr Whitney said many were still holding on to the former division.

“I’ve had very good support from the former Whitsunday Shire and obviously there’s a clear divide with the Bowen end,” she said.

“They preferred the former council’s style of government, rather than the new style of government that I’ve tried in introduce.

“But at the end of the day, the council is in a sound financial position with good governance, good processes and a good team of staff.”

Should her feeling come to fruition, Cr Whitney said she would focus on “moving the region forward”.

However, if the votes fall in another candidates favour, Cr Whitney intends to take “a well-earned rest”.

“It’s been a trying and challenging four years but, obviously, I’ve got my small business in Proserpine and I would go back into there and just see what other opportunities present,” she said.

The incumbent mayor described the election as very trying, saying there had been a lot of “antics”.

“And my volunteers and my team, they’ve had some trying times in the last week in particular,” she said.