SIMMERING divisions in Whittlesea council exploded last week, ending in tears for one councillor following alleged “intimidation” by a former councillor during its monthly meeting.
Mayor Rex Griffin confirmed several warring councillors were involved in a “yelling” match where he was forced to tell them to “be quiet immediately and act professionally” after a spat in the adjournment before the in-camera session of the meeting.
After the meeting, several councillors said Cr Mary Lalios “was in tears” and alleging “bullying” after former councillor John Fry held a sign saying ‘resign’ every time she spoke.
It was a reference to the Local Government Investigations and Compliance Inspectorate’s recent finding that Cr Lalios had breached the Local Government Act because she failed to declare conflicts of interest in matters she voted on in the council in 2008 and 2010.
The inspectorate has decided not to prosecute.
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The Weekly contacted all 11 councillors, the majority of whom were dismayed at the council infighting.
Cr Griffin said he asked Mr Fry to stop displaying the sign, but the former councillor told him: “It’s my right”, and after taking advice, Cr Griffin agreed. The mayor confirmed that several councillors were yelling at each other later in the night and he told them to stop.
Cr Sam Alessi, who was named by other councillors as being involved in a heated argument with Cr Lalios, declined to comment.
But Cr Kris Pavlidis and Cr Adrian Spinelli, who were also named, said they were discussing agenda items not involving Cr Lalios when Cr Lalios accused Cr Alessi of “wanting to have a go at her all night”.
She asked him to “bring it on” before breaking down in tears.
Cr Pavlidis said she told Cr Lalios, “It’s not all about you all the time”. Cr Spinelli said Cr Lalios had been so “vocal” that he suggested all councillors should “just go home”.
Cr Lalios said the inspectorate investigation was over and no action was required, and claimed Mr Fry had “sour grapes” because he lost the election.
She said that some of her colleagues “should know better than to treat people in a disrespectful manner and make them feel uncomfortable”.
Cr Norm Kelly said Mr Fry had lost last year’s council election and was “bitter”.
Mr Fry said he had not disrupted the council meeting. “I sat silently. I did nothing wrong.”
