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Guest Character Profiles > Bill Chalmers John Benton

Bill Chalmers 2007
Occupation: Councillor

A councillor for almost 15 years, Bill Chalmers was very set in his ways when new councillor Steph Hoyland was elected. During her first meeting, Steph was desperate to bring up the subject of a graffiti memorial wall to Ramsay Street resident Stingray Timmins, who had died six months earlier and had been a very popular member of the community. However, Bill was unwilling to listen, pointing out that the meeting was over and Steph's graffiti wall wasn't on the agenda. Though Steph was ready for an argument, councillor Jackie Jones calmed her down and later, over a drink, explained that she'd need to play by the rules if she was going to get anything done.

As her problems with the other councillors continued, Steph decided that some other tactics were required, so she invited Jackie, Bill and the other councillors along to her bar, Charlie's, where a book launch for celebrity chef Tony Aristedes was being held. After talking Tony into making some food for them all, Steph was delighted when her plan worked and even Bill seemed willing to give her a chance. But Jackie warned her that, even with Bill on side, she would still struggle to get permission for both the memorial wall and a childcare centre, something she had promised the local people during her campaigning. When it became clear that the childcare centre was more of a possibility, and that Bill's anti-graffiti stance made the memorial wall extremely unlikely, Steph gave in and was forced to tell Stingray's family that it wouldn't be happening.

Trivia Notes
• John Benton previously appeared in 2005 as Councillor Johnston

Biography by Steve

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