Mayor apologises for ‘immoral’ comments

– Casey Neill
KNOX mayor Jim Penna has apologised for comments he made during an ugly exchange of words with councillor Adam Gill at council’s 10 May Strategic Planning Committee meeting.
An argument between the pair erupted after Cr Gill moved an alternative motion regarding plans to expand the terms of reference of the Knox Central Implementation Advisory Committee’s (KCIAC).
A report presented to the council recommended the KCIAC review its terms of reference and deliver a report to council after the committee asked to broaden its skill base.
The KCIAC was established in 2006 to advise the council on the development of the Knox Central Urban Design Framework (KCUDF).
KCUDF was adopted in 2005 and outlines the long term vision for a Knox CBD area.
Cr Gill moved that in conducting the review the KCIAC build on the public consultation process, ‘particularly that there be no road connection through Lewis Park’.
Cr Gill said residents made it clear they did not want the development to include roads being built through parkland.
He said he may not be a councillor after the November elections and wanted the wishes of the community guaranteed before then.
“At some point this needs to be put on the record,” he said.
He said his alternative motion was about “building trust and credibility” with his constituents.
“It’s about public trust and integrity. That’s all I’ve tried to do tonight is show integrity and honesty,” he said.
Cr Penna said Cr Gill was attempting to make a decision on behalf of the committee.
“Cr Gill is pre-empting the recommendations of the committee,” he said. He said the alternative recommendation was ‘inappropriate and immoral’ and should not have been raised without notice to other councillors.
“In my opinion it would be totally inappropriate for council to pass this alternate recommendation,” he said.
The mayor raised a motion for the meeting to move in camera and members of the press and public were asked to leave.
Cr Penna later told the Mail he had been surprised by Cr Gill’s motion and had made the comments in the heat of the moment. “I was attempting to describe a process rather than a person,” he said.
“I don’t think Adam is immoral. On reflection it was an inappropriate word to use.”
Cr Gill said he had spoken with Cr Penna and had resolved the feud.
The final motion was carried unanimously and authorised the review and recommended that in the process the KCIAC build on the public consultation process, in particular that there be no provision for a road through Lewis Park.