'Corrupt' remarks hit nerve
REFERENCES to the 2005 dismissal of Tweed Shire Council are still striking raw nerves.
Former mayor Warren Polglase, who was mayor at the time and served another term after an elected council was returned, has taken exception to comments from serving mayor Kevin Skinner earlier this week.
Councillor Skinner, in explaining why he ran for the position, told the Daily News: “I love this place but I have seen some terrible, corrupt things in this shire in the past.”
Councillor Polglase rejected use of the word “corrupt” in describing the council's past performance.
“It was found that there was never any corruption whatsoever,” Cr Polglase said.
“To use the word ‘corrupt' enshrines administrators as corrupt and it's simply not true. To make that sort of statement as mayor is irresponsible,” Mr Polglase said.
Cr Skinner said his comment referred to the appearance of problems at the council from an outsider's perspective.
“As a lay man from the outside at the time it just appeared that there was corruption and I wanted to ensure it didn't happen by joining council myself.”
“Since becoming involved in council as a councillor I have since realised that that simply was not the case.”
