Council antics ”disgusted us”

Jane Emerick
Ratepayers have accused Surf Coast Shire councillors of “disgraceful” behaviour at a meeting this week.
Torquay’s Kaye Rogers said she and husband Graeme left Tuesday night’s meeting in disgust, yelling “you should be ashamed of yourselves” at councillors.
The couple’s exit halted a heated debate between councillors, with Torquay’s Ron Humphrey slamming his fist on a table while accusing Anglesea’s Beth Davidson of insulting him.
Earlier in the meeting Cr Humphrey also accused Mayor Rose Hodge of trying to “pin” him against a wall as he passed behind her chair.
Mrs Rogers said she was horrified when Great Ocean Road Coast Committee members at the meeting laughed while Cr Ron Humphrey spoke on council taking control over their controversial organisation.
Councillors deferred a decision until the coast committee had provided financial information about its operations.
Mrs Rogers said councillors Libby Mears and Beth Davidson whispered to each other throughout the meeting while “raising their eyebrows” and “rolling their eyes” when Cr Humphrey spoke.
Mrs Rogers accused Cr Mears of taking directions from coast committee chair Julie Hansen, a former shire mayor, as she sat in the gallery.
“I saw Julie Hansen motioning to Libby Mears to get up and say something,” Mrs Rogers said.
“Julie Hansen was mouthing words and gesturing with her hands.
“Tuesday night’s meeting was a disgrace and I think more citizens should go to see what takes place.”
Lyn Smith, secretary for the shire’s ratepayers association, said she witnessed similar antics.
“Throughout the last council meeting Cr Davidson and Cr Mears were constantly talking to each other,” Mrs Smith said.
“It’s bad manners at least and they should be embarrassed.”
Cr Davidson confirmed she had discussions with Cr Mears during the meeting but said they were talking about progressing drawnout debate between councillors over plans for a unisex toilet on Torquay’s foreshore.
Cr Davidson said she had never seen “such shameful actions in the Surf Coast Shire’s 10year history”.
“Thumping the table and shouting is not acceptable,” she said.
Mrs Hansen denied trying to influence councillors, saying her laughter and gestures were out of shock.
“Being a former mayor, my personal reaction to councillors’ behaviour was shock.
“I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Any motions I made were totally coming from my shock,” she said.
Surf Coast Shire chief executive officer Peter Bollen said council meeting laws did not allow councillors to speak among themselves during meetings.
Members of the gallery were also not allowed to communicate with councillors, he said.