Clarence alderman bins Greens mayoral candidate’s poster

A Clarence alderman took matters into his own hands after a council candidate’s corflute appeared on his business without his permission. Then, tensions escalated.

Clarence candidate Beth Warren's signs in the bin. Pic: Dean Ewington.

A Clarence alderman was left fuming after a council candidate’s poster appeared on his business without his permission, but the candidate the poster promoted says she has no idea how the old poster got there.

Dean Ewington, who will not be recontesting his seat, found the poster of Greens mayoral candidate Beth Warren on the fence of his business, Oceana Fitness, and promptly put it in the bin.

He took to social media with pictures of the poster in a bin.

“Now I know [you] would not have the ability to put this up but one of your team of flogs has done so on your behalf,” Mr Ewington said on Facebook.

Clarence candidate Beth Warren's signs in the bin. Pic: Dean Ewington.

“What you are trying to achieve is anyone’s guess, but your sign is now where it belongs, in the bin.”

Mr Ewington later discovered Ms Warren had posted on social media

“Delighted to see the owners of Oceana supporting my campaign and adding a touch of Green to the sea of Blue and Red,” Ms Warren said on her councillor Facebook page.

“Generous of them to recognise that some of their clients are my supporters.”

Mr Ewington said Ms Warren should have called him to check.

“It’s pretty rude of her to post of her social media how wonderful it was for the owners of Oceana to put it up, she knew it was my business,” Mr Ewington told the Mercury.

Dean Ewington Clarence City Council alderman and Oceana Aquatic and Fitness owner, expressed outrage over Greens mayoral candidate poster. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

“All this could have been solved by her doing the right thing in the beginning and checking before going on Facebook and celebrating.”

Mr Ewington said whoever put the sign up was playing a “silly stunt”.

“It’s someone trying to play games,” Mr Ewington said.

“That’s politics these days, people like doing silly things.

“There’s no ‘sorry Dean’, all she said was ‘can I have it back’.

“I didn’t respond but if she wants to get it she’s more than welcome to get it out of the bin.”

After midday, that’s exactly what Ms Warren did.

“It’s in the back of my car, it’s absolutely filthy,” Ms Warren said.

Beth Warren is running for Clarence Mayor. Picture: Linda Higginson

“I’ll clean it up a bit and see if anyone would like it.

“So I’ve acquired a 27th poster so that’s good for me.”

Ms Warren was equally perplexed by the appearance of the poster.

“I had no knowledge of it going up,” Ms Warren said.

Clarence candidate Beth Warren's signs in the bin. Pic: Dean Ewington.

“It’s one of my old posters from four years ago, this must be one someone had souvenired from four years ago.

“There were a number of posters that went missing at the end of the last election, I tried my best to get them all back.”

Ms Warren said she was upset by Mr Ewington’s reaction.

“There was lots of name calling,” Ms Warren said.

“I think that struck a chord with the community it’s not how they expect an elected member to behave.”

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