Stonnington Mayor Steve Stefanopoulos six-page, 23-picture newsletter to be investigated
The heat won’t die down for the mayor of an inner-city council who flaunted his work in the community with a newsletter featuring 23 pictures of himself in action, with the Leader believing it is now the subject of an investigation.
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UPDATE: The Local Government Inspectorate is set to investigate matters surrounding Stonnington Mayor Steve Stephanopoulos’ unauthorised six-page, 23-picture newsletter.
Acting chief municipal inspector Dr John Lynch said the inspectorate was “assessing a complaint regarding Stonnington City Council” but did not comment further.
Leader understands the complaint is in relation to the newsletter, distributed in Cr Stefanopoulos’ ward in July and promoted on his councillor Facebook page.
But while Stonnington Council says Cr Steve Stefanopoulos hasn’t broken any rules, it is considering updating its councillor code of conduct to prevent future “confusion” on personal publications.
Cr Stefanopoulos declined to address specifics about the newsletter – News From Your Mayor – delivered to residents in his ward in July.
It contained 23 pictures of Cr Stefanopoulos in the community and spruiked his and the council’s work in areas such as tree planting, CCTV, the arts and cultural diversity.
The content and timing of the newsletter infuriated some ratepayers in Cr Stefanopoulos’ ward, which covers Malvern, Armadale, Prahran and Windsor.
Prahran’s Denzil Griffiths said he had made a complaint to the Local Government Inspectorate and was concerned about potential misuse of council assets and staff involvement.
Armadale’s Deirdre McNally thought the newsletter was “obviously a re-election pamphlet” and feared ratepayers’ money had been used.
“In an election year I think it’s a little bit on the nose,” she said.
“I definitely won’t be inclined to vote for someone who shamelessly self-promotes themselves in this way.
“This is over the top, it’s too much and shameless self-promotion on ratepayers money.”
Leader is not suggesting these allegations are true, only that they have been made.
Stonnington spokesman Jim Carden said no council resources were used for the newsletter and it was not an officially authorised publication.
Mr Carden said the newsletter was produced outside the election period defined by the Local Government Act and did not breach the council’s Councillor Code Of Conduct.
But Ratepayers Stonnington president Dean Hurlston, who is also considering a complaint to the inspectorate, said the council had refused to supply evidence that Cr Stefanopoulos had gained approval to use its photos, email and phone assets in the publication.
“Inquiries to council have ascertained that this is a political publication although it does not carry the mandatory disclaimers,” Mr Hurlston said.
“Repeated requests to council to prove who has actually paid for the publication, including the council-owned pictures and distribution have been met with unclear answers.
“In my opinion, this is Cr Stefanopoulos using his office of mayor to gain an unfair advantage over other candidates and bringing the office of mayor and council into disrepute.”
Mr Hurlston said the council was “complicit in a cover up” unless it wrote to residents clarifying it was not an authorised newsletter.
Cr Stefanopoulos did not respond to Leader’s email and calls for comment.
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