Derek Zeisman will be joining Perth Town Council for the next four years after earning a seat in last month’s municipal election.
Zeisman finished third in a field of 11 candidates competing for five council positions, receiving 1,408 votes, or 11.7 per cent of the total.
He finished behind Gary Waterfield and Ramsey Hart, while joining Sheldon Giff and incumbent Jim Boldt as the other successful candidates.
It’s a successful second attempt at municipal politics for Zeisman, who also ran for council in 2022 but was unsuccessful.
He says his decision to run again was driven by a desire to contribute to the community and bring practical, accountable leadership to local government. He reports on some of the more common themes he heard from voters on the campaign trail.
During the campaign, Zeisman described himself as an independent and pragmatic candidate, emphasizing responsible spending, transparent decision-making and strong municipal services.
He has also spoken about the importance of ensuring Perth’s administration delivers value for taxpayers while making sound investments in the community’s future.
He’ll now have an opportunity to put those priorities into practice alongside Mayor-elect Ed McPherson, Deputy Mayor-elect Catherine Schoular and the other members of the new council.
The incoming council faces a number of significant issues, including infrastructure needs, affordability, development pressures and decisions surrounding the future of recreation facilities.
Ziesman notes responsible Town finances is a major goal for him for his first term.
The new council’s four-year term officially begins November 15th, with its inaugural meeting scheduled for November 17th.
Hear our complete conversation with Zeisman below.
Story by Brian Turner