NOT even Ian North’s closest council allies were aware of his plan to step down as deputy mayor before Thursday’s shock announcement.
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Cr North made the announcement on local radio, abruptly ending his ninth term in the city’s second highest role.
Among those most surprised and hurt by the decision was Cr North’s long-time council ally Bobby Bourke, who says he feels let down by his friend.
Cr Bourke had supported every one of Cr North’s bids for deputy mayor and had happily signed his nomination forms.
He said on Friday that he felt he deserved better from Cr North than to have been left in the dark.
“I’m disappointed after supporting him for so long that he didn’t make a phone call to let me know that he was stepping down as deputy mayor,” Cr Bourke said.
“He couldn’t even extend me that courtesy after I’ve signed his forms to be deputy mayor all these years.
“I’ve listened to all his concerns over the past month and not once did he mention stepping down.”
An email to councillors and senior staff said Cr North was stepping down as deputy mayor for “personal reasons”, effective immediately.
Cr North has been concerned about the impact on Bathurst of ongoing attacks on mayor Gary Rush by Sydney-based radio presenter Ray Hadley and he agreed to be interviewed on-air by Mr Hadley earlier this week.
However, it remains unclear if that dispute played any role in his decision to resign as Cr Rush’s deputy.
Cr Rush said he was disappointed to hear Cr North had resigned and on Friday paid tribute to him as a hard-working deputy mayor.
“I would congratulate Ian North for the great work he has undertaken in his role as deputy mayor,” Cr Rush said.
“He has served the people and the council very well in that capacity and we have had an extremely good working relationship.”
Cr Rush said he was not made aware of Cr North’s plan to quit and was sorry to see him go.
While there is no legal requirement for council to elect a replacement deputy mayor, Cr Rush said he would like to see someone in that role.
“Bathurst has always had a deputy mayor and I would assume the council group would be very keen to maintain that position,” he said.
Cr Monica Morse is not sure, though, saying council might be better served waiting to see how the threat of amalgamation plays out before electing a new deputy.
Cr Morse is also close to Cr North on council and said she believed the radio attacks on the mayor had influenced his decision to resign.
Cr North did not return calls from the Western Advocate on Friday.