GRANT District Council elected members have pleaded with Mayor Richard Sage to join a “unified direction” after he made a defiant stand at Tuesday night’s special meeting.
Emotions ran high at the special meeting where Mr Sage refused to agree to abide by a Charter of Agreed Behaviours, despite the policy being voted in unanimously.
It led to experienced councillors Barry Kuhl and Bruce Bain ultimately questioning Mr Sage’s perceived change in behaviour over the past 18 months.
“This is just so frustrating that this is where it’s got to,” Cr Kuhl said.
“This is my third term and the first six-and-a-half years were good with you and now it’s just ran off the rails.”
Cr Bain echoed Cr Kuhl’s statement before asking if Mr Sage agreed.
“What’s really happened to you Richard, I just cannot believe it because the first few years there was not a problem but the last 18 months you have just gone way off track, it’s not a one man band,
I just cannot follow you,” Cr Bain said.
“You do not agree that you are sort of not doing what you did to start with, communication wise?”
Mr Sage responded by stating he did not believe he had changed his behaviour during his tenure as mayor.
“I do not think I have but you consider that I have and that’s your choice, your thought,” Mr Sage said.
Earlier in the meeting, Cr Brad Mann – who was voted in at the last election – said elected members were looking for Mr Sage to join them on a unified direction.
“The charter of behaviours are not even that hard to follow, all we are looking for is a unified direction from you and to be collaborative in your approach,” he said.
“You have to work with the people around you to make things happen – I have been on the council for two seconds and it seems there should be less turmoil than what has been happening here.”
Mr Sage said the turmoil stemmed back to when a vote of no-confidence was held last September.
Cr Clayfield said there was no turmoil being caused by the councillors.
“So there’s no bullying or harassment at all going on Cr Clayfield?” Mr Sage said.
“From us? No I do not believe there is,” Cr Clayfield responded.
Cr Jody Elliot said calling people to account was not bullying or harassment.
Weighing in on the issue, Cr Shirley Little said she stood by her decision to move a vote of no-confidence, which stemmed from various “concerns” at the time, including Mr Sage’s handling of a Regional Express Airlines (Rex) proposal.
“It was to do with Rex and I will standby my word that I put in that vote of no confidence because we all know around this table that things that are in confidence, remain in confidence,” Cr Little said.
“I went home and read the exact thing that was in confidence in the Advertiser about what we were going to do with the community fares.”
Cr Clayfield agreed the matters were in confidence, which led to a scathing response from the mayor.
“Do not talk to me about being in confidence, because there’s a few thing you have let out,” Mr Sage said.
“I’d like to know what,” Cr Clayfield responded.
Cr Bain and Cr Little requested the mayor to enlighten the room on what exactly Cr Clayfield had done.
“Now is the opportunity, bring it out in the open, we’re bringing our things out in the open, now is your chance,” Cr Little said.
“You’ll find out eventually… it’s actually in confidence, that’s why I cannot,” Mr Sage responded.
