FORMER councillor Kate Lempriere has hit back at misconduct accusations made against her and the council order which banned her from talking to staff.
I AM now able to comment: Kate Lempriere, DSJ.
I have never subscribed to people thinking of themselves as victims or martyrs so I have decided not to slink away into the ebony of the night.
“Six months of Cardinia Shire behind the scenes – hell”.
Plus my ongoing character assassination by printing my photo with added text of innuendo and veiled aspersions from an unrelenting cynically biased reporter, in the social and print media of the Pakenham Gazette.
Enough is enough my husband and family agree.
I feel saddened as I have been a loyal hard worker, leader and participant in all that Cardinia Shire as an Interface Council has achieved since 2003.
However, as a well-known Pakenham citizen with a legal related business and someone held in high respect by many, I feel greatly aggrieved by the latest ongoing questioning of my integrity and character and negative reflection on my good name and reputation. (Front page Gazette 12/10/16) the week prior Council election, again page 4 article (2/11/16).
As a Councillor I was unable to comment on matters raised as I was informed it would contravene the Local Government Act (OH&S Workplace Act) plus the Cardinia Councillor Code of Conduct.
I might add the current Mayor at the time (Jodie Owen) sent me a registered letter saying as much.
The issue referred to 26/4/16 came about because as a member of the Audit Committee and Community Grants committee I was very aware of a tightening of budget and restriction of finance available to community groups. I did not know the staff member the Mayor pointed out but approached her with questions re $130,000 pa spent on production and distribution of the council magazine CONNECT and informed her if it was a council vote I would not vote for its continuation!
If necessary on oath I would swear she displayed no sign in my presence of being upset in fact she displayed distain.
Within the hour I was confronted in the Chamber by an extremely angry, shaking and aggressive CEO.
He stood in my personal space with finger raised up and down close to my face in a very aggressive intimidating manner I had never witnessed before.
He accused me of misconduct towards a staff member, citing he had a written complaint and witnesses.
I was astounded.
I didn’t know what he was talking about, he was unresponsive, ignored my denial, would not listen to explanation of events.
No respect given, no written evidence produced, no internal resolution procedure.
The Mayor turned away and the Sr staff vanished.
I had no-where to go!!
In fact it was a denial of natural justice to your serving representative of the community.
Also the day before my husband had gone through major surgery for cancer of which everyone was aware.
I suffered public humiliation, distress (I had to leave the briefing and cried and drove to an empty home as Jeff was in hospital) No occupational health and safety concerns for this councillor.
In fact it took from 26th April till the 9th May to receive a written apology which I can only assume was career self-preservation and advised but resented because out of the blue within several months of the election.
A second incident was raised by the CEO.
This time because a mother had approached me re the Pakenham kindergarten in Main Street and I had questioned a staff member a day after meeting with a management group that had given me misleading information re “expressions of interest vs funding application for renovation funding”.
I also queried the possibility of land banking as nothing positive was happening and its located on prime real estate.
I was accused once again of intimidation of a staff member and banned by the CEO talking to all staff and they were forbidden to talk to me which made it very difficult for all parties as I was involved in many committees.
No internal resolution procedure!
I was told by the CEO my only communication could be with the CEO or Senior Team Leaders, or councillors, some once again who didn’t want to know so close to an election!
I was treated as a pariah because I was a good councillor.
Not disrespectful, not personal, but asked direct, no fear or favour questions of staff on behalf of the community.
– Kate Lempriere.
