KNOX: Suspension after ‘grinches’ row
Knox Cr Peter Lockwood (pictured) has been found to have breached the Model Councillor Code of Conduct following complaints lodged by Crs Lisa Cooper, Glen Atwell, Meagan Baker and Parisa Considine.
Cr Lockwood referred to councillors who opposed funding Christmas decorations as “grinches”.
His online activity, including “liking” Facebook comments that criticised councillors who voted against the decorations, came under criticism, as he did for talking with the media.
The arbiter found the conduct targeted councillors who had voted a particular way during the Christmas decorations debate.
The debate was said to go beyond what could reasonably be considered normal political debate.
Cr Lockwood is to be suspended from the role of councillor for one calendar month.
Knox Council late last year had a marathon two-hour debate that concluded with a vote not to pay for Christmas decorations.
Christmas bows had been proposed at a cost of $15,000 bows were proposed to be installed at Alchester Village, Ferntree Gully Village, Knox Gardens, Knoxfield, Rowville, The Basin and Upper Ferntree Gully.
“What a pack of Grinches,” Mr Lockwood said at the time. “It is a trifling amount and it adds to the heart of Christmas, you all lack heart.”