Up until now everyone has been tight lipped about the reasons leading up to the showdown between seven councillors of Armidale Regional Council and Mayor Simon Murray, but Cr Jonathan Galletly was happy to relate his grievances prior to Friday's extraordinary meeting.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Cr Galletly told The Armidale Express he had no confidence in the mayor because he had not been responsive to anything he had ever taken to him.
"He's never listened. Just taking [him] the ratepayers views, he can't listen and he doesn't react to anything I bring up to him," he said.
"This is not just me, this is other councillors. I feel as if the public's views are not being heard. He's been like this ever since he's been in there.
"I've 'kissed and made up' with him quite a few times, and then he treats you like your just a bit of nothing. It's a bit sad. I think I've got a little bit to offer to the community seeing as I've been here all of my life and I have a bit of an idea," he said.
It was Cr Galletly's opinion that Cr Murray did not know a lot about the people of Armidale.
"He comes from the Aberfoyle - Wogwibinda area. He's not a little bit distant from the area he represents, he's a big bit distant," he said.
"The CEO is actually the one that I have to go to to get any information whatsoever.
"As I say, anytime I go to Simon for information, number one; he can never answer it, and number two; it's just as quick to go to Susan. I have no complaints about the CEO."
Cr Galletly said the mayor's claims that he knew nothing about this matter were not true.
"We've given him the opportunity before to have a look at this," he said.
"I hope he has a big think and sees that we are actually serious.
"A couple of councillors approached him last week, before any of this came to a head, and he didn't take any notice. We've been forced to do what we're doing."
When contacted by The Armidale Express, Cr Murray said he would need specifics about the issues brought to him by Cr Galletly.
"I can't recall, off the top of my head, recall him bringing anything to me," he said.
"I guess, it is specifics for individuals in the community, I have to balance that against the needs of the whole community.
"So, unless we go back to knowing what he was referring to I couldn't really comment. I would have to know what it was, but I might be balancing the needs of the community more than the needs of individuals."
Cr Murray said he found Cr Galletly's accusation that he was out of touch both difficult and revealing.
"I just met a lady in Armidale this morning who congratulated me on all the work I was doing, and I have had a lot of positive comments from a lot of Armidale people," Cr Murray said.
"So, I don't think I am out of touch, quite the contrary."
READ ALSO:
Cr Murray said he was worried about Friday's meeting because it showed council in a bad light and demonstrated disunity.
"I am worried for staff, who may see council as dysfunctional,' he said.
"And I am worried that we have councillors who want to play these games with only seven or eight months to go before the next election.
"We've got councillors acknowledging they can't get me to leave. So, what is the objective other than grandstanding? They still have not put down a valid reason as to why they want me to go.
"So, am I worried? Yes I am. I am worried about the consequences of this."
