PRESSURE is mounting on Mayor Andrew Lee to step down from his elected position amid controversy over a civil dispute.
Mr Lee became embroiled in civil litigation early this month after it was alleged he failed to pay a large debt to a local building contractor.
The Border Watch received correspondence between disillusioned ratepayer Andrew Brettell and Mount Gambier City Council chief executive Mark McShane, wherein Mr Brettell called on council to address the “embarrassing situation.”
“I would like it noted that my voice be added to any other – I respectfully request Andrew Lee be removed from any council position,” Mr Brettell said in an email to City Council dated July 24.
“It is extremely poor for the city to have someone who takes the title of mayor not to pay their debts.”
When asked this week if he intended to step down given the ongoing civil dispute, Mr Lee declined to comment.
“I will say this – I would never use this position for personal gain and I declared this dispute on my register of interests in January,” Mr Lee said.
“Elected members are entitled to have their own business ventures separate from council.
“The magistrate will determine an outcome and I will respect whatever decision is handed down by the magistrate.”
Local building contractor Roger Doody filed a claim for an outstanding sum of $68,278 in February.
He alleged Mr Lee had avoided paying the outstanding amount for over two years, following the completion of two units on George Street.
Mr Lee declared he was indebted to another person in an amount exceeding $7,500, noting a ‘disputed claim with builder’ on the register of interests form he returned in January.
While he did not disclose the amount owed, he stated the name and address of the contractor as required.
Mr Lee declined to comment when asked if he would run for re-election.
“You always have someone trying to knock you down or intimidate you, but I know I’m doing the right thing and that’s what is most important,” he offered instead.
“I don’t see this as a problem, this is only an inconvenience – a problem is when you or a family member is in bad health.
“Slander cannot destroy an honest man and when the flood recedes the rock is there.”
In response to Mr Brettell, Mr McShane said the nature of the matter between Mr Lee and the building contractor was “purely personal” and had no connection to his role as mayor.
“There has been no breach of the mandatory code of conduct that guides all elected member’s behaviour in their role as councillors,” Mr McShane said.
“Council does not have the capacity to remove a democratically elected mayor as you request.”
“As a private matter and one subject to legal resolution, council will not enter into this issue – I understand this does not satisfy your requests and again I reiterate this is a private matter between Andrew Lee and a third party.”
