MOUNT Gambier and Districts Health Advisory Council (HAC) has issued a written apology to Grant District Mayor Richard Sage for “any distress suffered” due to criticism flowing from the organisation.
The issue hit fever pitch in December when a furious Mr Sage lambasted the HAC for sending a letter of criticism to council’s chief executive officer David Singe about his lack of attendance at some meetings.
But in a new twist, the health council has declined to reveal the attendance of its other members and will not release its minutes of previous meetings.
The letter of apology was tabled at Grant District Council’s meeting on Monday night following the council requesting the HAC’s minutes and a list of attendance of the body’s individual members.
“The HAC extends an apology to Mayor Richard Sage for any distress that he may of suffered,” HAC presiding member Maureen Klintberg said in the letter.
“The HAC looks forward to working with the nominated representative of Grant District Council in the future to achieve the best possible health outcomes for members of the community.”
The HAC committee members officially moved the need to apologise to Mr Sage at its February meeting.
“I advise the HAC deemed it not appropriate to make available list of attendance of HAC members or previous minutes in accordance with and pursuant to the Mount Gambier and Districts Health Advisory Council constitution,” Ms Klintberg said in the correspondence.
“At our next meeting (March 7), an agenda item will be listed to discuss strategies relevant to the future exchange of information between HAC, the City of Mount Gambier and Grant District Council.”
In the lengthy original letter, Ms Klintberg criticised Mr Sage about his lack of attendance as a council delegate to some meetings and involvement in fundraisers.
And in a particular line of complaint, Ms Klintberg highlighted Mr Sage’s idea that indigenous artwork created by inmates could be displayed at hospital’s new renal dialysis unit.
In the letter, Ms Klintberg wrote that some members believed this was “inappropriate” because Mr Sage was employed at the prison.
Mr Singe included the letter in a council agenda in December, sparking a furious response from Mr Sage who described it as “defamation” and an “attack” on him.
In the official letter of apology sent to council, the HAC requested Ms Klintberg’s original letter be “removed in its entirety” from the December 17, 2018, agenda.
But council is unable to withdraw the letter given it is now in the public arena.
Under its constitution, the HAC may make minutes available to persons who are not members of the council as it “deems appropriate”.
Ms Klintberg has also confirmed a proxy cannot be appointed to fill in when Mr Sage is not available.
Mr Sage will continue to sit on the HAC committee given he is the local government appointment on the body for three years.
