TOWN of Victoria Park Mayor Trevor Vaughan has spent almost $5000 to support his deputy, Brian Oliver, in the local government elections.
Mr Vaughan spent $4835.30 on endorsement letters for Cr Oliver, who is contesting the Jarrah ward.
The letter asks voters to support Cr Oliver but does not request support from the community for councillor Vince Maxwell, who is also up for election in the Jarrah ward, or any other candidate.
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READ NOWMr Vaughan said his decision to support Cr Oliver was because the latter had done a “good job” as deputy mayor.
“I made the decision to endorse just him and no one else because he’s been a good deputy,” he said.
According to the Department of Local Government and Communities, gifts need to be declared three days after being received.
Mr Vaughan said he was unable to submit it within that time because he was on leave overseas but wrote to the Town’s chief executive Anthony Vuleta explaining why.
Cr Maxwell said he was glad that Mr Vaughan did not send a letter of endorsement for him.
“I think that the Mayor should be impartial,” he said.
A question was put to Mr Vaughan at the elected members briefing session on October 3 about whether it was the Mayor or the Town’s money spent on the letters.
Mr Vaughan confirmed at the meeting that he spent the money on the letters.
Jarrah ward candidate Hamer Zavaleta-Vidal has made three declarations that he received gifts – three lots of money that added up to $2980 from the Cleanness Service Group for posters, pamphlets and radio advertising.
Fellow Jarrah ward candidate Bronwyn Ife has made one declaration for $800 that she received for designing and printing leaflets.
The candidates for the Jarrah ward are Bronwyn Ife, Julian Hilton, Brian Oliver, Peter Smith, Vince Maxwell and Hamer Zavaleta-Vidal.
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