By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Casey councillor Rosalie Crestani has publicly apologised to a state MP for the City of Casey failing to respond to his letters since August.
Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan had told State Parliament in May that Casey chief executive Mike Tyler had not responded to his concerns, which were raised on behalf of residents.
Or “those people who pay the CEO’s bill”, as Mr Donnellan described them.
The “juvenile” silent treatment had also been meted out to Cranbourne MP Jude Perera, Mr Donnellan said.
“To solve the inability of the CEO to do his duty – he gets paid $370,000, which is a very good wage – I will now start sending all letters directly to the councillors who are responsible for particular wards.”
Cr Crestani blamed a “systemic breakdown” within the council, which had not dealt with letters from up to 10 MPs.
She stressed Mr Donnellan hadn’t been targeted in particular, there was no ill intent behind the error and that she’d like to “build bridges” with the MP.
She called for a full review of the council’s communication procedures, as well as dealing with the “backlog” of unacknowledged correspondence.
Cr Amanda Stapledon fired back at Mr Donnellan for consistently rejecting invitations to meet with the council and “denigrating” Casey in the media or in letters to residents.
Mayor Sam Aziz said Mr Donnellan, as Roads Minister, should focus on fixing Casey’s congested road network instead of “engaging in these foolish, childish games”.
“I look forward to a day to come when he works with us and not against us.”
