Local man Barry Parsons was narrowly elected as St. Mary’s ward councillor last night mustering 13 votes to his opponent's 11 on a record low turnout. Parsons's slightly larger circle of friends is thought to have been key to his victory.
Brushing aside the nearly 9,500 electors who didn't vote, an elated Parsons announced that his victory was an "overwhelming local rejection of savage government cuts" although he later conceded that his parents having recently moved into St. Mary's might have played a role in his victory.
Defeated candidate Peter Baines lamented “Mr brother-in-law died earlier this year which was a blow and I still haven’t returned my neighbour’s hammer drill which I've had for months and months. I think the electorate has sent a clear message that I need to pay more attention to my relationships and also do a bit more around the house.”
