Caleb Wesley’s family slams Golden Plains council meeting delay
The parents of a six-year-old boy killed while crossing the road in Teesdale have labelled Golden Plains councillors unable to reach a unanimous vote on an acting mayor “childish”.
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The parents of a six-year-old boy killed while crossing the road in Teesdale have labelled Golden Plains councillors unable to reach a unanimous vote on an acting mayor “childish”.
Residents were furious after Tuesday night’s council meeting was disbanded when councillors were unable to vote in an acting mayor.
The council’s Mayor Sarah Hayden has taken a leave of absence following community backlash after a recent trip to Las Vegas
A group of about 15 residents attendedmeeting on the understanding councillors would discuss road safety following the tragic death of six-year-old Caleb Wesley.
Caleb was walking to catch a bus along Bannockburn-Shelford Rd in Teesdale when he was fatally struck in an alleged hit-run on March 27.
An 84-year-old woman stopped at the scene but police allege she then got back into her vehicle and drove away.
Caleb’s mum, May Wesley, told the Geelong Advertiser the delay was disappointing.
“We think that it’s childish in a way that they couldn’t come together for our community especially at this time,” she said.
“This issue is so pressing on everyone looking for answers, and something or anything to be done in the direction of change and safety for our children.”
Councillors were twice asked to vote on mayoral nominees Emma Robbins and Gavin Gamble.
Neither were able to attract a majority, with Ms Robbins attracting her own vote and that of Owen Sharkey and Des Phelan.
Mr Gamble attracted his own vote and that of Helena Kirby and Brett Cunningam.
The shire’s acting chief executive officer Steven Sagona said because councillors were unable to reach a majority the meeting could not go ahead and would be deferred until 6pm Wednesday, where councillors will vote again.
Inverleigh resident and activist Andrea Bolton, who was at the meeting, said community members had attended the meeting to share their concerns about road safety.
“We had a bus driver turn up tonight with hair raising stories of children almost killed daily,” she said.
“I don’t think he will be back (Wednesday night) night.”
Ms Bolton said members of the public gallery were “nothing but specators last night for 16 minutes whilst council couldn’t even get the meeting off the ground”.
“It appears the inability of the councillors to work together to solve the simple issue of who would play the role of acting mayor for the night was far more important than any items on the agenda,” she said.
“More important than road safety when a delightful little six-year-old, Caleb Wesley, was killed not even three weeks prior.”
Originally published as Caleb Wesley’s family slams Golden Plains council meeting delay
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