Ex-Onkaparinga councillor says he was howled down after challenging CEO fundraiser
A former Onkaparinga councillor says he was “howled down” by colleagues when he raised concerns about the council’s CEO fundraising efforts.
Onkaparinga chief executive Mark Dowd was forced to defend his use of council contacts to fundraise for a charity trek to Mt Everest Base Camp when challenged on the issue earlier this year.
Former councillor Don Chapman says Mr Dowd sent an email to staff and elected members in July seeking donations for his trek with the Little Heroes Foundation.
Mr Chapman, who did not seek re-election, said he objected to the email at the time because he believed Mr Dowd was “using council time, resources and contacts for his personal charity” goal.
The Advertiser yesterday reported Mr Dowd has raised $20,876 and, of that, $10,599.99 was from Fortune Source Holdings.
In 2016, it was revealed that company’s director, Yun Fung Chung, a developer from China’s Guangzhou province, wanted to build a $50 million, 300-room hotel in McLaren Vale.
“(Mr Dowd) emailed all councillors and staff with his request and I was howled down by other councillors (when I objected),” Mr Chapman said.
“Now it’s come back to bite him. I objected months ago to give the CEO time to correct his course of action.”
In response to questions from Mr Chapman at the time, Mr Dowd wrote: “Yes, some (donors) are partners of the City of Onkaparinga but they are also long time colleagues and peers.
“‘They, as with others, requested I send them details and information on how they can support my endeavours and sponsor the kids. This is on my own time and at my own cost and all money raised goes directly to Little Heroes Foundation’.”
While the original email was sent on work time, Mr Dowd wrote that he sent many work emails in personal time and that “staff do use the corporate email and facilities periodically for raising money for charity”.
The council has been scandal-plagued for 18 months, starting with the council paying Mr Dowd’s $6818 golf membership joining fee.
That was part of a strategy to attract Chinese investment to the southern suburbs.
“Like with the golf fees, he can’t distinguish between personal or private and work,” Mr Chapman said.
Integrated Waste Services, which partners with the Southern Region Waste Resource Authority (SRWRA) to run the Southern Recycling Centre, donated $4180.
The SRWRA is a joint subsidiary of Onkaparinga, Holdfast Bay and Marion councils.
IWS declined to comment and new Onkaparinga Mayor Erin Thompson did not return calls. Mr Dowd is on leave and cannot be contacted.