Perth Voice Interactive

THE Maylands ratepayers and residents association has written to Bayswater city council expressing “no confidence” in local councillor John Rifici.

MRRA president Roger Tomlins says Cr Rifici has not attended any association meetings and ratepayers feel “disenfranchised”. “There is a definite lack of representation,” he says. “He never comes to our meetings, despite me asking him repeatedly, fails to respond to our emails on issues and is not on the ground enough.

“He lives in North Fremantle and doesn’t even work in Maylands anymore.”

At the time of his election in October, Cr Rifici owned Rifo’s Cafe in Maylands, but he sold it in January to pursue a career in real estate. Cr Rifici says he will not re-contest his seat at the next election.

“I’m still 100 per cent committed to my role until then,” he says. “People forget that I worked in Rifo’s for 14 years and have a fantastic understanding of the area.

“I’ve only missed two councils meetings and have participated in numerous debates and votes on decisions affecting Maylands.

“I think this is just a case of people in the MRRA trying to raise their profile ahead of the next council election.”

Maylands Labor MP Lisa Baker, who regularly attends MRRA meetings, says “the association felt he wasn’t giving them the time of day”. “John hasn’t bothered to come and visit me as the local member for Maylands either,” she notes.

“I had a great working relationship with his predecessor Sonia Turkington and we would have regular meetings.”

Mayor Sylvan Albert says Cr Rifici’s attendance is “in accordance” with the law.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK