Melton mayor Bob Turner disputes claims he is a “part-time” mayor and says his “door is always open” to members of the community.
Cr Turner’s invitation to residents to set up one-on-one meeting times with him comes amid claims by Cambridge, Coburn and Watts Residents Association president Nathan Miles that the mayor is neglecting residents living in the city’s eastern corridor.
Mr Miles said he and another resident had tried to contact Cr Turner several times at the council offices in Caroline Springs, only to be told the mayor’s office had permanently moved to Melton along with his staff.
“It’s ridiculous,” Mr Miles said. “What does it mean? How can people in the eastern corridor see him if he isn’t there?
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“At first I was in disbelief … he should be spending at least two days in Caroline Springs. He’s neglecting the eastern corridor, which has the majority of voters.”
However, Cr Turner said he had not received one request from staff in Caroline Springs to meet with residents and he was available at any time of the day or night. “I meet people every day of the week … night time, weekends, any time. I’m open to everything.”
Cr Turner said the latest accusations were simply a political ploy by disgruntled residents.
He conceded that residents could not always get the time they want to meet him, but he would endeavour to organise a time and location as convenient as possible, even if it meant meeting at the local cafe.
