By Melissa Meehan
GREATER Dandenong’s mayor has been labelled a “dud” by residents.
Last week Noble Park resident June Whitton wrote to Star describing mayor Pinar Yesil as a “Clayton’s Mayor”.
But councillor Yesil hit back at the claims, saying she was a hard worker who made herself very accessible to the community.
“In councillor Yesil’s past three years on council she already had a consistent track record for non-attendance at local community events,” Ms Whitton said.
“It now really seems the ALP and the councillors who voted for her have landed this city with a complete dud.”
Ms Whitton compared Cr Yesil’s attendance at events to previous mayors, including her predecessor and current councillor John Kelly.
“Considering he is running a small business he managed his time to attend most local events,” she said.
“To me, Cr Kelly had a true commitment to the role.
“We as residents are, now, sadly being short changed.”
Former mayor John Kelly added to the discussion saying he had heard comments from other residents echoing Ms Whitton’s sentiment.
“One school told me they wrote to Pinar a number of times with no reply, so they asked me to attend,” Cr Kelly said.
“She found out I was going and then decided to go.
“It’s all about political gain.”
Cr Kelly said that in his role as mayor he attended “at least 10 meetings a week”.
“That included meetings, school visits, senior citizen days, having a chat with residents and business lunches,” he said.
“I was flat chat as a mayor – my family hardly ever saw me.”
Cr Yesil agreed that her hours of work had “increased substantially” since taking on the role of mayor.
But she hit back at claims she was inaccessible, priding herself on being available to the public.
“I operate an open door policy and I’m available to meet one-on-one with residents and regularly take part in events throughout the city,” Cr Yesil said.
“When I’m not at events or meeting with residents I can usually be found going over the required reading to help me keep on top of what is happening in Greater Dandenong.”
During the past fortnight Cr Yesil has attended 14 events and met with 19 residents.
“Since being elected mayor I have attended 20 events and met with 24 community groups,” she said.
“When I am unable to make an event, due to my heavy schedule, a councillor will take my place.”
