THE AUBURN LOCAL GOVT AREA COMMUNITY CONTINUE TO REEL FROM THE SHOCK OF MORE AND MORE OVER-DEVELOPMENT ESP. AT WENTWORTH POINT!
FOLLOWED BY THE OUTRAGEOUS ACTIONS OF THE DEPUTY MAYOR CLR SALIM MEHAJER!
OPEN LETTER TO THE PREMIER OF NSW – 23/8/15
Dear Mr Baird
I refer to the scandal surrounding Clr Salim Mehajer of Auburn City Council. I also refer to the following motion that I presented to Council on 19/8/15:
That in accordance with Clause 22 (3) of its Code of Meeting Practice the Council, as a matter of Urgency deal with the following motion –
-That the Council request the Minister for Local Government to investigate the behaviour of Clr Salim Mehajer in relation to the events in Frances Street Lidcombe on Saturday 15 August 2015, on the basis that Council is concerned with the fact that Clr Mehajer breached the conditions of the Road Occupancy license and Filming Approval granted and that –
i)this breach created significant inconvenience to local residents and has attracted strong community feedback.
ii) the lavish display of conspicuous wealth combined with the fact that Clr Mehajer holds public office has caused damage to Council’s reputation.
-That Council request that the Minister exercise the maximum level of disciplinary action permitted under the Act.
This was an opportunity for Council to articulate the concerns of the community, distance itself from the behaviour of Clr Mehajer and initiate action that could lead to his dismissal. Unfortunately, a majority of councillors preferred to side with Clr Mehajer. They are: Clrs Ronney Oueik, Hicham Zraika, Ned Attie, Le Lam, Steve Yang and, despite his conflict of interest, Salim Mehajer himself – all of whom voted to disallow the debate.
Clrs Tony Oldfield, Irene Simms and Semra Batik-Dundar supported the urgency motion.
This action of Council has increased community dismay and brought Council into disrepute.
The focus of attention is now moving from the bizarre antics of a vulgar narcissist to how Council operates to benefit the business interests of councillors. I believe that there must now be a comprehensive inquiry into council voting patterns that deliver beneficial outcomes for councillors – not only the direct beneficiaries but any benefits for councillors who vote the “right” way.
I call upon you and the Minister for Local Government to immediately dismiss Clr Mehajer and to instigate an enquiry into the culture on Auburn Council that has allowed him to flourish.
I further call for a ban on persons who derive an income from trading in, managing or developing property from being councillors. This would recognise that such persons have a community of interest in supporting each other’s developments, even if not all of them always do.
Such action would allow for a return of control of civic affairs to genuine representatives of the community rather than the position of councillor simply being part of a developer’s or real estate agent’s business plan.
I look forward to you acting urgently to restore public confidence in Council.
Yours sincerely
George Campbell
Councillor
Auburn City Council
9749 2449
0409 233 3155
AUBURN.NSW.GOV.AU
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