Mayor Yesil as she was sworn in as a councillors. By Melissa Meehan
MAYOR Pinar Yesil has again stated that she will not resign amid blackmail, broken windows and threatening letters calling for her to stand down from her role on the council.
“I may appear to be a soft target but I am very strong-willed,” councillor Yesil said.
“I will not succumb to intimidation, bullying or extortion.”
Last week the Star reported that Cr Yesil had been the target of a group who called themselves the Coalition Against Pinar Yesil.
She said the destabilising campaign against her started early into her first term on the council and has continued over the years.
“I always put this down to being the new kid on the block and thought people who were responsible would eventually accept the fact that younger people such as myself have a place on council,” Cr Yesil said.
Despite this, Cr Yesil said she was pleased to receive a large number of votes from residents at last year’s election.
“I thought this would quieten those that sought to destabilise me down,” she said.
“In fact in my acceptance speech after the election I pleaded for a fair go now that the residents had had their say.”
Amid claims of blackmail and threatening letters, Cr Yesil said she felt as though she was being constantly followed.
She hopes that, by going public with her concerns, the intimidation will stop.
“Initially I thought that if I didn’t make a fuss they would go away,” Cr Yesil said. “When they realised I was not going to resign, they seemed to be determined to continue.”
