Onkaparinga Mayor Lorraine Rosenberg survives vote to force her resignation
EMBATTLED local mayor Lorraine Rosenberg, who called some of her colleagues “gutless wonders”, has decisively seen off an attempt to force her to resign.
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AN embattled local mayor who called some of her colleagues “gutless wonders” has decisively seen off an attempt to force her to resign.
In a surprise move, Onkaparinga councillor Don Chapman last night urged his colleagues to back his motion for a special meeting next month to debate Lorraine Rosenberg’s future as mayor – and if she ought to step down, or not.
Ms Rosenberg is also president of the Local Government Association.
However, Cr Chapman did not attract any support from his 19 colleagues.
Onkaparinga has been in the spotlight in recent months over its payment of a $6818 golf club membership fee to council CEO Mark Dowd.
The council has justified the payment, arguing Mr Dowd’s membership of Kooyonga Golf Club was needed to host Chinese business people looking to invest in the Onkaparinga region.
Mr Dowd has since agreed to pay the money back to the council following a backlash from some residents.
Ms Rosenberg left the council chamber during the vote on the call for her to resign.
On Facebook last week, she referred to her fellow elected members as “gutless wonders” for failing to defend the council.
Cr Chapman said it was “very disappointing” his fellow councillors would not support him.
“I have lost confidence in the Mayor and I think many people in the community have lost confidence in the Mayor,” Cr Chapman said.
“Her attitude and her belligerence towards residents on Facebook, and towards councillors, was inappropriate, unprofessional and unbecoming.”
The Southern Times Messenger is seeking comment from Ms Rosenberg.