Councillors cross

By Melissa Meehan
A WAR of words was once again sparked between councillors on Monday night.
Councillor Yvonne Herring again spoke out against the mayor Pinar Yesil’s comments that those who voted against the ATA Reform charter “have a long hard look at themselves”.
“Well we (John Kelly, Maria Sampey and Yvonne Herring) have had a good look at ourselves, and we like what we see,” Cr Herring said. Cr Herring said that the way councillors voted should be an independent vote, not controlled by others.
“I am not elected by you to be told where to place my vote,” she said.
“And I certainly won’t be told by anyone else what to vote for.” She said she found Cr Yesil’s statement “extremely insulting”.
“Just because you don’t like our decision doesn’t mean it is wrong,” Cr Herring said.
Councillor Roz Blades leapt to her feet saying it was not necessary for what was said in the media to be brought up at council meetings.
“I don’t think it’s necessary for those things to be said by the mayor,” Cr Herring replied. After the meeting, Cr Yesil said she was not impressed with Cr Herring’s outburst on Monday night.
“She got to her feet, ironically, during a time when she should have been reporting on her activities in her ward,” Cr Yesil said. Cr Jim Memeti described the personal attack on the mayor as a “disgrace”.
“I believe it is about sour grapes because she didn’t win the mayoral vote in December,” Cr Memeti said.
“I have never seen Cr Herring like this before, she should just get on with the job and represent the residents.”