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If ever there was a snake in the grass, it was Hull. Borderline has heard that this particular incident and Cr Hull's refusal to co-operate may have breached the requirements to comply with the Current Code of Conduct and is to be included in a submission being prepared to ICAC (Independent Commission Against Corruption). We doubt if the people of Albury have heard the last of this piece of duplicity.

There is always the chance that Hull's elevation might go pear shaped. He's not a particularly good performer in Council and got the lowest personal vote of all elected councillors (174). It was only Lynda Summers, second on the Hull team, who ensured they stitched up a few preference deals that got him elected. They weren't particularly concerned about who it was with either, provided the deal was reciprocated. Out of all this Cr Wareham most certainly will decide to throw his hat into the ring. That would make things interesting because it would come down to a few votes.

So at this time it seems a Glachan/Hull team could lead the Albury City Council for the next year. The trouble is that when someone throws their support behind you, particularly in this instance, there are certain conditions applied. Henk, who has shaved his beard off like O'Farrell the NSW Opposition Leader - is trying to remake his image for 2010. Obviously Amanda must have told him that Hull in this instance must be deputy mayor. No doubt Henk would have been offered a few sweeteners, but this could blow up because Henk is prone to white line fever and might go off the rails. It probably won't happen because it'll upset the applecart, and without Amanda's cunning Henk would quickly flounder. He lacks the tactical skills of his mentor and confidant. Besides, as go-between between Duncan-Strelec and Glachan, Henk's hurt pride and frustration could in part be placated as they fine tune their plan for 2010. One well may ask why Amanda and Glachan would need a go-between. That's the thing with politics: alliances are more about convenience than anything else. Too much head to head dialogue might lead to unforeseen circumstances when Glachan and Amanda suddenly turn on one another. They will it's just a matter of time. It's happened before Voss, Summers... they were once mates then before you know it they're at each other's throats, sworn enemies for life! Henk's ego is also massaged as a middleman in this situation, because he thinks he's part of the process. The king/queen maker. That would be very good for Henk's ego, which needs regular nourishment on a daily basis.

That is why Crs Betteridge and Angus have made their wishes known especially Angus, who'll cop a lot of flack if he doesn't support Gould. He's been telling anyone who's prepared to believe him that he's under no obligation to support Pat. It's a public washing of the hands, similar to someone else familiar to Angus in biblical texts. Pontius Pilate really set the trend in hand washing. Ironical, isn't it.

This is how the scheme of things is being played out at the time this article is being written. The truth of the matter is this is a good opportunity for Amanda and Henk to exercise control over council processes by proxy. Then if Glachan and Hull are elected come 2010 they can withdraw their patronage of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor if they are so inclined, Glachan will be watching her back because Hull thinks he would make a great mayor. Both of them would be 'in debt' to Amanda and Henk who could withdraw their support at any time. That's the trouble when you make all these deals; they inevitably come unstuck. And Glachan's future ambitions depend on stability, in deciding when to contest Greg Aplin's job. Then there are the sub deals. Little arrangements that will unfold as the opportunity arises. That's the troubling thing about not being elected on your own terms; as well as having to watch your back they also have the added 'unsaid' obligation to those who supported you.

The worst possible outcome for the schemers is that Gould decides to stand for Mayor of Albury again. Come what may, and even though she knows she hasn't got the numbers now and probably won't have the numbers on the night, she still might stand. The onslaught by the Duncan-Strelec camp is just a tactic to soften up Gould. The same could be said about Angus, Hull and Betteridge. If they're seen to humiliate Gould there will be resentment, especially if there is public knowledge of the scheming and treachery behind Gould's downfall. That is why they don't want her to stand. Of course they are saying it's health reasons she's too old, what have you but surely Gould is in the best position to decide whether or not she's able to have another year at the helm. It well may be the case that Gould will stand just to make a point.

However, if the public becomes aware of the treachery and intrigue, and knowing Gould's success in the popular vote, the crown on Glachan and Hull's heads might rest a little uneasily, if not illegitimately. This is what worries them. The thing of course is that Gould might succumb to the pressure and not stand for mayor. It just comes down to how she wants to play it out. How she wants to be remembered. Either way her decision will be made as a result of the campaign of intimidation against her.

You all know the story when politicians are pushed. How many of them are prepared to come out and say, "the treacherous bastards have stabbed me in the back!" Usually they put some spin on it. Like when Stuart Baker usurped Duncan-Strelec. Duncan-Strelec was furious, but she couldn't come out with it. She just put a lot of spin on it, and put it in her little black book for future reference. She made it sound like she had other things to do like she wanted to spend more time with her daughter, who was doing her HSC like she wouldn't 'hold back' councillors who had supported her the previous year. You wouldn't expect Duncan-Strelec to come out and say she didn't have the numbers. She always has her little black book, so that when payback time comes it will be as ruthless as possible. Remember when Stuart Baker became mayor? As part of the arrangement, she and her supporters took all the plum committee jobs. When Arthur and a few other councillors mentioned the matter, Amanda spoke of the new reality. She told Arthur he could go jump. She really enjoyed herself that night.

In the present situation it probably isn't too much to ask that Mayor Gould, who only wanted a one more term anyway, be allowed to leave on her own terms. Cr Gould has many bridges to cross in the coming months, the political reality of a council overwhelmed by the pursuit of power. It is not even a foregone conclusion that she would stay the year with her husband ill as well.

No wonder people are so cynical about local government.

The concerted effort to bring down Councillor Gould is an example of how dysfunctional the Albury City Council has become. Of course it's part of the democratic process, but where do the citizens of Albury stand in this? Alice wants to be Mayor of Albury so what. She wants to return local government to the traditional Albury way. Cr Duncan-Strelec is only too happy to help Alice out - for the time being, anyway. Deep down, her heart isn't in it. Probably hasn't been from the start. Just like a lot of other councillors. However, in Alice they see should she stumble an opportunity to claim the main prize. That's how the game goes when you have a majority of mediocre uninspired councillors who plot and scheme and Albury is the worst for it.