THE DEPUTY Mayor of Wakool Shire has quit his post and will contest next month’s mayoral election, after a public spat with the Mayor this week.
Wakool Shire councillor Anthony Jackson announced his resignation as Deputy Mayor to the council at its monthly meeting in Moulamein on Wednesday, with Mayor Neil Gorey absent due to sickness.
Cr Jackson told fellow councillors he found it “totally impossible and futile” to remain as Deputy Mayor due to a “complete lack of communication and consultation” with Cr Gorey on certain issues.
“I have major concerns about the manner in which the mayor is conducting himself in the role and I perceive an abuse of power,” Cr Jackson said.
Cr Gorey has publicly denied the allegations made by Cr Jackson, however, saying he has carried out his role as Mayor “with the utmost honesty and integrity”.
“I have always held the best interests of both our organisation and our Wakool Shire communities close to my heart,” Cr Gorey said.
“In response to Cr Jackson’s assertion regarding communication, I can only say that good communication is a two-way responsibility.”
For more on this story pick up a copy of today’s Guardian (Friday, August 21).
