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A Mayor for
the masses It’s one of western Sydney’s poorest areas, but ratepayers might be surprised to discover they have bought Fairfield Mayor Nick Lalich an imported six cylinder gas-guzzler as his official mayoral car. While most of the council fleet consists of four cylinder vehicles, Mr Lalich’s car – which he is entitled to use on weekends and holidays – is a Chrysler 300C sedan which features a 3.5 litre V6 engine, luxury leather trim and heated seats. It retails for $53,990. Fairfield council’s websites states that, in 2006 the median individual annual income of residents was $16,558 and the median annual family income was $49,192. Fairfield councillor Thang Ngo said the car is “inappropriate”. “It is in no way befitting of our area,” Mr Ngo said. Mr Ngo said Fairfield council staff spent $625,399 on petrol in the financial year from July 2007 to June 2008 and vehicles are being used more over traditionally quiet work periods, such as Christmas and Easter. |