By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Casey councillor Rex Flannery has denied a rift with the ratepayers association he co-founded, in the wake of a searing letter from a former member.
In August, Cr Flannery appeared to publicly disavow himself when he apologised for his past criticisms of the council during his “past life” with the Casey Residents and Ratepayers Association.
The position enraged an association co-founder William Bryan, who wrote in Star News that Cr Flannery had departed from his election platform to oppose Casey CEO Mike Tyler and mayor Sam Aziz.
“His commitment to the people that supported him has been withdrawn by virtue of his apology,” Mr Bryan wrote.
“He is now just another dummy in the Tyler puppet show.”
Cr Flannery said he’d lost his friendship with Mr Bryan as a result of the letter, but there was “no falling out” with the association.
The councillor conceded he’d changed from his original election agenda, describing both Mr Tyler and Cr Aziz as “quite pleasant”.
It was the right thing to do to apologise publicly for his past misgivings, he said.
“The thing is Mike Tyler’s got a five-year contract, so there’s no need to rock the boat and cause any dramas about it.”
Cr Flannery said his opinion of Cr Aziz had been fuelled by the mayor’s comments towards others. “We’ve since mended those bridges.”
“I don’t socialise with the CEO or the mayor. I’m not in their pockets.”
He said his view as a former “keyboard warrior” had changed since learning more about the inner workings of the council. He could now see the “whole picture”.
“I’m now eating some humble pie. I think the officers are doing an incredible job.”
Cr Flannery said his conversion didn’t mean the ratepayers’ association was now redundant.
“I believe there’s a place for the ratepayers’ association. They are there for accountability and transparency, and for the council to continue that way.
“They’re our monitor.”
Casey Residents and Ratepayers Association president Arvo Talvik said the group held no discontentment for Cr Flannery, dismissing Mr Bryan’s views as that of a “lone wolf”.
Mr Talvik said he wasn’t surprised that Cr Flannery’s views had now changed while “on the inside”.
He said that if he himself was elected to council “I expect I’d be in the same boat”.
“I don’t see anything wrong with him changing his mind on a few things.
“He’s still putting himself out there and helping residents.”
Cr Flannery still attended meetings and organised talks between the association and council officers. “The relationship is quite good,” Mr Talvik said.
Mr Talvik said the association remained concerned about aspects of Casey Council, such as the $125 million Bunjil Place project.
“Governments should recognise they don’t have any money. The only money they have is ours.
“The only thing we expect is when they spend our money it benefits the residents and ratepayers.”
