The extraordinary workings of the Hawkesbury Council have again exposed. Last night Councillor Kim Ford used his Mayoral casting vote to gag any debate regarding defamatory statements he made in local media about a community group.
Councillor Lyons-Buckett moved that Council urgently consider statements, made by the Mayor, accusing Community Action for Windsor Bridge (CAWB) of an illegal activity. CAWB members have written to the Mayor seeking clarification of his accusation without success.
CAWB Chair, Dail Miller says, “We have made several requests to the Mayor, in writing, asking that he provide specific detail of illegality. To date all he has told us is that he considers the activity to be ‘illegal’. He bases that opinion on a misapprehension CAWB is required by the police to obtain Council’s approval to be in Thompson Square. That is simply incorrect”
Mr Miller confirms, “In the Police letter of approval there is no requirement for CAWB to obtain any sort of Council approval.”
CAWB is occupying a small part of historic Thompson Square. Their round-the-clock vigil commenced July 21, last year – lasting some 439 days to date.
Mr Miller is unhappy. “The Mayor is besmirching our good name and reputation. This is a matter we take very seriously. CAWB has worked extremely hard to ensure we are at all times model citizens; a reliable source of accurate and verifiable information and a responsible and legal presence in the oldest public Square in the Nation.”
CAWB member Pete Reynolds is also unhappy. “The Act is very clear about public assembly. It is an assembly held in a public place, and a public place means a public road, public reserve or other place, which the public is entitled to use. Thompson Square is a public place that the public is entitled to use. We are an entirely legal protest and Mayor Ford is out of line.”
Mayor Ford has form when it comes to using his casting vote to gag debate. A form he is proud to acknowledge. “I am not in the habit of allowing urgency motions” he said of his vote to stop a debate about his own unacceptable behavior.
Councillor Lyons-Buckett said she was disappointed but not surprised by the Mayor’s actions. She says there is a looming crisis in the Hawkesbury with big question marks over some proposed developments; concerns about an ICAC report, due out early next year and the dysfunctional council meetings.
Read a letter from CAWB to Paul Toole MP, Minister for Local Government here....
Read an email chain between CAWB and Mayor Ford here...
Read an email chain between Hawkesbury Resident Colin Hawkins and Mayor Ford here...
Letter of Approval from NSW Police Force here...
