DEAR Gawler community,
You elected me to represent you, to make decisions in your/our town’s best interest, to ask questions and move motions on your behalf, to hold the administration to account, and to ensure good governance and good stewardship of your money, and of our towns resources.
I have faithfully done that for the past seven years, asking more questions and moving more motions than any other councillor, always preparing thoroughly for meetings, and always responding when you reached out to me.
I helped you change the route of the GELR; save Hindmarsh Boulevard reserve; protect your open spaces from being downgraded; declare a climate emergency; get hard waste pick-up; and so much more.
I have fought hard for you, standing up against bad policy, poor decision-making and waste.
Like you, I have a vision to see our town prosper and thrive while protecting what is precious to us.
But the discrimination, physical intimidation and abuse of power that I experienced at the March council meeting was the last straw, and on July 27 I wrote a letter of resignation addressed to you.
I took leave after that March meeting and reached out immediately to Mayor Karen Redman and CEO Henry Inat for help…but nothing!
Not once during my 16 weeks of leave did Mayor Redman or CEO Inat ever contact me to offer help, to discuss a way forward, or to check on my welfare…not once!
I realised that it was pointless carrying on while this current leadership, administration and faction are in charge.
The relentless discrimination, defamation, lying, misuse and abuse of power, deception, spin and game-playing that I have had to fight against was never going to stop.
Rather than continue to fight a losing battle, I’ll devote the next 18 months to encouraging people with vision who care about our town to run at the 2022 elections in order to refresh and renew our council.
It’s been an honour and a privilege to serve as your elected member.
Thank you and goodbye.
Ian Tooley,
Gawler East
