PLANS to erect a council-funded memorial to former Bayswater mayor John D’Orazio (Voice, November 29, 2014) have upset the local residents and ratepayers association.

BRRA president Tony Green says the late Mr D’Orazio already has a park named after him, an oil painting in the council foyer and he’d been honoured as a freeman of the city.

“He was a fine mayor and did some great work, but we already have a number of tributes to him,” he says.

“Surely it would be more meaningful if his family supplied and paid for it.”

Mr Green questions the timing of the suggestion for a “fitting tribute”, which the council voted should be installed at Riverside Gardens.

• John D’Orazio

Imminent

“Why has this suddenly come up three years after he passed away?” Mr Green asks. “Is it anything to do with the imminent council mergers?

During Mr D’Orazio’s 17-year reign, Bayswater introduced WA’s first security watch, Morley Galleria was redeveloped and green bin recycling introduced.

Cr Barry McKenna, who served on council with Mr D’Orazio, says he was respected by everyone.

“He was incredibly passionate about the city of Bayswater. We wouldn’t have the Galleria in Morley if it wasn’t for John’s tireless work.”

Mr D’Orazio later was elected to state parliament and became a Labor cabinet minister. Corruption allegations derailed his political career and he was thrown out of the ALP.

Mr D’Orazio died unexpectedly in 2011 aged 55 during surgery.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK