Mayor won’t take a stand

Geoff Ablett, in your interview with the News on 20 March you informed Casey ratepayers that you see no conflict of interest between your role as mayor of Casey and your recent endorsement as the Liberal candidate for Cranbourne.
The fact is, Mayor Ablett, you are looking for a future career outside of Casey council with a political party which requires loyalty to its own policies and leaders from all its candidates
The only example offered by the mayor of Casey, in relation to improvements in our community services, during the Coalition’s time in office, are more roadworks.
When was the last time you visited a local state school?
The fact is, Mayor Ablett, many of our local classrooms are overcrowded as are our public transport connections at peak time.
Further, by Casey’s own admission there is also a significant homelessness problem in our municipality. Residential rents are very high as are commercial property leases.
Since coming to office, however, the Victorian Coalition has cut back on community services and public service employment.
But the mayor of Casey has had absolutely nothing to say about these government austerity policies. Why?
Is it because taking a stand may have compromised Mayor Ablett’s prospects of being endorsed as the preferred Cranbourne candidate?
John Glazebrook,
Endeavour Hills.