SHALOM House chief executive Peter Lyndon-James has been elected to the City of Swan council in the Altone ward, kicking out Mayor Mick Wainwright.
His controversial rehabilitation centre has been at odds with the City for the past two years, embroiled in a legal battle over the facility not meeting residential zoning requirements.
Mr Lyndon James said he believed the handling of Shalom House by council was the reason some councillors had not been re-elected.
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READ NOW“If you turn a blind eye to the issue that almost every family in your ward and state is facing, and throw the rules and regulations at them instead, you will lose their confidence and you will lose the privilege to represent them,” he said.
He thanked the community for putting their trust in him.
“This is all a little bit surreal considering where I’ve come from, but it is also an indicator that people are sick of the same old and they want to see change in the City of Swan,” he said.
Altone ward councillor David Fardig, who recently celebrated 25 years as a Swan councillor, was also not re-elected, replaced by Andrew Kiely, while Whiteman ward councillor John McNamara retained his seat.
Pearce ward councillors Patty Williams, David McDonnell and Kevin Bailey were all re-elected and Claire Scanlan was elected to replace Daniel Parasiliti, who did not nominate for another term.
Former mayor Charlie Zannino returns to council two years after leaving, elected in the Swan Valley/Gidgegannup ward to replace Darryl Trease.
City chief executive Mike Foley congratulated all the successful candidates and those who nominated.
“Once again we had a strong field of candidates, with 25 people nominating for the eight vacancies across five wards,” he said.
“On behalf of the City, I would like to congratulate those who have been successful and thank everyone who nominated.
“I would also like to formally farewell our former Mayor Mick Wainwright, David Fardig, Darryl Trease and Daniel Parasiliti, who have served their community very well over the years.
“I’d like to thank them all for their service and for what they have achieved in their time on council.”
The first ordinary council meeting of the new council will take place on November 15.
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