Griffith’s presidential-style race for mayor is shaping up as a grudge match between old foes.
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Griffith is the only council in the region with a popularly-elected mayor and while there are five candidates for the top job, the big two are battling their respective histories and each other.
Incumbent mayor John Dal Broi has been in local government for four decades and while he rose Lazarus-like from retirement to claim the role in 2012, he’s facing waning public support over claims he’s too close to staff.
Rivals have also dredged up a 10-year-old financial debacle as a reason to avoid Councillor Dal Broi.
The 2006 collapse of Dal Broi Wines formed part of the reason the veteran councillor didn’t contest the 2008 election and while he downplayed its impact when he ran in 2012, his chief competitor has held it up once more as a cause for concern.
The main rival, Cr Mike Neville, was the first man popularly elected as mayor in 2008, but he too has a history.
During the 2008/12 term he faced sexual assault charges that resulted in a hung jury, an acquittal on some charges at a second trial and a withdrawal of the remaining charges by the public prosecutor.
In Cr Dal Broi’s corner is fellow mayoral candidate and former mayor Dino Zappacosta, while deputy mayor Doug Curran, who also put his hand up for the job, is backing Cr Neville.
The fifth contender and dark horse of the race is Paul Snaidero, a supermarket owner and vice-president of Griffith Business Chamber who’s not preferencing any of the other candidates.
Mr Snaidero is also the only mayoral candidate who is not a sitting member of council, nor has he ever held a seat on council, but he is a former council employee.
When asked about the race Cr Neville pointed out the “Dad’s Army” combination of Cr Dal Broi and Cr Zappacosta, both in their 70’s, were much older than their competitors.