Three aim for comeback

By Rebecca Fraser
THREE former Casey councillors are attempting to make a comeback, including past mayor John Hastie.
Former mayor Janet Halsall has put her hand up for River Gum Ward, while former Four Oaks Ward councillor Sam Afra is to contest his old ward.
In 2003 Mr Hastie lost his seat in Four Oaks Ward to Cr Roland Abraham.
“I have been silent for the better part of three years as, when he got in, I thought ‘fair enough, he must be the one the community wants to produce and perform’.
“But he has fallen far short of this and I have watched his performance and have been somewhat staggered by his activities.
“That is the prime reason I am running, and I want to offer people an alternative option to this nonperforming incumbent.”
Mr Hastie said he was not surprised that 14 candidates were standing in Four Oaks Ward, as the area often attracted many nominations.
“I fully expected a field of a dozen or so,” he said.
“I have drawn a difficult number on the ballot sheet lucky 13 of 14.
“I am aware that there are other potential candidates, but I thought someone had to do something and I believe that I was, and would be, a very active councillor.”
Mr Hastie said he also expected Sam Afra to poll well as he had drawn the number one spot on the ballot sheet and was likely to be endorsed by the Labor Party.
“It will be an interesting contest,” Mr Hastie said.