Dirty tricks claims mar polls

By Melissa Meehan
SIGN stealing, private investigators and smear campaigns are just some of the dirty tricks to have been played during the Greater Dandenong council election.
Allegations of racism and religious slurs among candidates have been rife from the start, not to mention bickering between party affiliations.
This week, councillor and candidate Maria Sampey said she had become the target of a smear campaign.
After receiving a pamphlet in the mail from candidate Helen Yolcu, Cr Sampey contacted Star, furious over the information printed.
The flyer stated that Cr Sampey had been busy bickering with fellow councillors, CEOs, residents and community groups.
It also said Cr Sampey had been globetrotting and travelling around the country rather than looking after the needs of Noble Park North.
“It is all untrue,” Cr Sampey said. “First of all I have not been globetrotting – the only place I have been was to Lorne for the annual Municipal Association of Victoria conference in July. She must have me confused with her sister – councillor Pinar Yesil.”
Cr Sampey said she was being targeted because she chose not to be a political party “puppet” last year when she voted for mayor John Kelly.
“I am being punished by Pinar, her sister and the Labor Party for doing that,” she said. “That is why I am being targeted.”
Cr Sampey also said campaign signs were being stolen and destroyed.
“I have found many of my signs ripped up and ruined,” she said. “It’s becoming quite costly. But I am first and foremost representing the community and won’t be bullied.”