Out for the count

– Rebecca Fraser
THERE were some disappointed faces in Four Oaks Ward this week following Saturday’s election.
Former Four Oaks Ward councillor Roland Abraham expressed his disappointment after losing his seat and coming seventh of 14 candidates in the primary votes.
But Mr Abraham said he had put this disappointment behind him and was feeling great following the election.
Mr Abraham said he did feel that the local media’s coverage of the Victorian Electoral Commission in-quiry into his place of residence had done him no favours and could have generated a “protest vote.”
He also said he did not know if he could go another “round of hounding and innuendo” from the media had he been re-elected.
But Mr Abraham said he held no grudges and was glad that some new people had been given a voice on council.
“At the end of the day, as much as I would have liked to have served for another term, the community has spoken. I am not vengeful about this and congratulate all councillors and wish them all well,” he said.
Former councillor Sam Afra, who many expected to poll well, also expressed his disappointment after coming fifth of the 14 candidates in the first preference votes.
Mr Afra said he felt the proportional representation system may not have been suited to the ward and residents needed to take more interest who they voted for.
“Maybe people do not care who is their local representative or they do not understand the system. It (his election results) were not near any of my expectations. I never took it for granted that I had the number one spot on the ballot paper but I do ask and urge the community to learn more about their candidates.”
Mr Afra was reluctant to comment on the two Four Oaks Ward councillors – Paul Richardson and Rob Wilson – but hoped they delivered what they had promised.
Mr Afra noted that 22-year-old Ben Mammone had polled well and said he would have liked to see more multiculturalism and young voices in council.
But he also warned that councillors and candidates with running mates needed to be aware that they ran the risk of their running mates beating them.
Former Casey mayor John Hastie also polled well and said he had no “hang ups” about his loss and wished all councillors the best of luck.
In the past Mr Hastie said he believed Mr Abraham was unsuitable for Four Oaks Ward and this week he said his feelings about this had been backed by fact when Mr Abraham was defeated. Mr Hastie said Sam Afra not being elected was the real “surprise package” in the ward and also lamented the lack of youth and multiculturalism in council. He also said that was the last time he would stand for council.