Did he or didn’t he?
Theo Onisforou has accused Mayor Jesse Fitzpatrick of failing to shake his daughter’s hand at the Australia Day ceremony in Berrima on Australia 26 and has labelled the action as “absolutely atrocious”.
Mr Onisforou emailed the Mayor the following day (January 27) suggesting he stand down.
He emailed the Mayor again on January 28 detailing his obligations under the Local Government Act.
He says the Mayor has failed to respond to any of his allegations noting that that Cr Fitzpatrick “has importantly not denied the incident”.
Mr Onisforou – a vocal council critic – has now asked council’s general manager to investigate whether the Mayor’s alleged Australia Day behaviour breaches the Code of Conduct rules.
At the same time he says the general manger is not “legally qualified” to decide the matter and has asked that it be referred to an independent lawyer.
Mr Onisforou’s daughter, Stephanie, was a nominee for this year’s Young Citizen of the Year Award.
Mr Onisforou claims he shook every other nominee’s hand – except his daughter’s – and claims it was because of “personal animosity”.
The Mayor hasn’t responded to Mr Onisforou’s allegations and hasn’t commented publicly.
Read More: Southern Highlands, Berrima