With just 19 days to go before voting closes, a 30-years old ‘tax fraud’ conviction of a West Ward candidate has caused a bit of furore.
The otherwise calm local election scenario has, however, suddenly seen some turbulence as a result.
In the West Ward, 13 candidates, aside from mayoral hopefuls, Dave Taylor and Sarah Thomson, have put their names forward for the six vacancies.
Among these aspirants is a chartered accountant, Mark Alexander Flyger currently working as the CFO of a large manufacturing group of companies for over 24 years.
Not many in the city were aware of Flyger’s conviction of tax-related offences that happened over three decades ago, and of which he says he is “perversely proud.”
His so-called ‘hidden’ past came out in open last week when one Neville Denton brought this up first in a post on social media asking Flyger to confirm if he is the same person ‘rumoured’ to be convicted of fraud. In his response, Flyger confirmed ‘yes’.
This topic was again subsequently brought up at the ‘Meet the Candidates’ event at Pukete Community House last Tuesday. This was picked up and caused a storm on social media, prompting Flyger to issue a long response on his Facebook page.
Explaining why he did not declare this in his profile, Flyger wrote in his post “the convictions were in relation to something that occurred 31 years ago.”
As per electoral rules, a criminal record does not affect the person standing as a council candidate.
Defending himself, Flyger says, “I was convicted of offences arising from tax-related arrangements I devised in my capacity as a chartered accountant and tax specialist. These were not for personal gain. They were for the benefit of clients…I have never shied away from this history, and in fact I am perversely proud of it.”
There has been a strong reaction – both ways, to this largely unknown chapter of his past life. Several new loyalists have also come out in his support. Andrew Bydder has also defended Flyger “I trust him, I trust his judgment, and I certainly trust his expertise in financial control.”
Whether this issue will have any effect, will be known only when results are declared.
Here is the complete list of West Ward candidates: Paul Alforque, Matthew Beveridge, Mark Flyger, Nidhita Gosai, Louise Hutt, Mesh Macdonald, Allan Mckie, Graeme Mead, Angela O’Leary, Emma Pike, Sarah Thomson, Dave Taylor, Geoff Taylor, Michael West and Roderick Young.
Angela O’Leary, Louise Hutt, Emma Pike, Geoff Taylor and Sarah Thomson are seeking to be re-elected.
Elected members are responsible for: Law-making (bylaws) and overseeing compliance to the relevant Acts of Parliament; Developing and approving Council policy; Determining expenditure and funding requirements of Council; Monitoring the performance of Council against its stated objectives and policies, etc.
It is not an easy task for the candidates to woe voters, and is probably equally tough for voters to decide in favour of one or the other.
But there are only six seats and 15 contenders. Who should earn your tick in West Ward- it is for you to decide for yourself.
At ‘Meet the Candidates’ events you have the opportunity to listen and at times, ask questions to know more. Click here to see the complete list of events. You can also know more about each candidate by clicking here.
Until mid-day, October 11, voting papers can also be hand-delivered to the council’s office in Garden Place or dropped off at various ballot box locations around the city. Votes received late won’t be counted.
