Burnside councillor Lance Bagster to be counselled by Mayor David Parkin after calling resident Jenny Turnbull a liar
THE mayor of Burnside will counsel one of his elected members about how to be more polite with constituents after calling one of them a liar. But the councillor won’t have to apologise.
BURNSIDE Mayor David Parkin will counsel one of his elected members about how to be more polite in his dealings with the public.
The council voted on Tuesday night for Mr Parkin to advise Cr Lance Bagster on his interactions with the community.
The move came after Cr Bagster sent an email to Stonyfell resident Jenny Turnbull accusing her of deliberately making false allegations against him.
The July 6 email claimed Mrs Turnbull had made “mendacious and spurious assertions” about Cr Bagster after a Burnside Ward ward forum on June 30.
She alleged Cr Bagster held the forum to encourage residents to support a St Peter’s Girls’ School plan to extend its carpark into parkland on Stonyfell Rd rather than to genuinely listen to residents’ concerns.
Mrs Turnbull lodged a Code of Conduct complaint based on Cr Bagster’s email.
A confidential report into her complaint, produced by Norman Waterhouse lawyers, was discussed at this week’s council meeting.
The debate and the decision were also kept confidential.
The Eastern Courier Messenger has seen the report and been told the result of the debate.
In her complaint, Mrs Turnbull alleged Cr Bagster failed to “act in a reasonable, just, respectful and non-discriminatory way when dealing with people”.
She also complained about the “general tone” of Cr Bagster’s email which dismissed her complaints about the forum, particularly that she “felt intimidated” by St Peter’s Girls’ School parents.
Mrs Turnbull ran against Cr Bagster in last November’s council election.
“Jenny, I can’t help but wonder if your letters to St Peter’s Girls’ School and to the council are motivated by sour grapes at you losing last November’s election,” Cr Bagster wrote in the email.
“Alternatively, I wonder whether you feel that in making these mendacious and spurious assertions you might somehow feel that you are contributing to our community and the Burnside Ward in which we are both residents and ratepayers.
“If this is the case, I can assure you that there are diminishing returns in pursuing this course of action.”
In her report, Norman Waterhouse partner Felice D’Agostino recommended the complaint be dismissed.
“It is not disrespectful or unreasonable for Cr Bagster to disagree with the complainant’s statements and express the view that her statements (in his view) are not correct,” Ms D’Agostino said.
In his own review of the ward forum, Cr Bagster complained he felt it had been “hijacked” by people from outside the ward.
“Unfortunately, if they haven’t taken their lithium tablets, are upright and breathing, the more vocal and unpleasant types from outside your ward will always show up to these community events. Watch out and be prepared!” he wrote.
Speaking after the meeting, Cr Bagster said the report had “exonerated” him from any allegations.
“I am wholeheartedly committed to serving the people of Burnside,” he said.
Mrs Turnbull said she would like an apology.
“I don’t think it’s acceptable (that he does not have to apologise),” she said.