A REQUEST to review the renaming of a local town’s river-front area is “vexatious”, was “made to cause annoyance” and should be rejected by elected members, a local CEO says.
Back in January, “Waikerie Riverfront” was officially adopted as the title of the river-front area, part of which was formerly known as Lions Riverfront Park.
The decision has infuriated former Waikerie Lions Club member Joe Vikor, who has subsequently sought an internal review of the decision.
Loxton Waikerie CEO, David Beaton, says Mr Vikor’s application included allegations that two councillors had conflicts of interest that should have precluded them from voting at the January meeting. In his report to council, due to be presented this Friday, Mr Beaton recommends elected members refuse the application “on the basis that the application is frivolous or vexatious”.
“Apart from not agreeing with the decision, Mr Vikor has not provided new information that was not available to the council at the time it made the decision,” Mr Beaton says in his report.
“As Mr Vikor has alternative avenues to pursue conflict of interest considerations that therefore are not subject of the review, I believe that the application is vexatious, (and) that it is made to cause disruption, delay or annoyance.”
In a wide-ranging letter sent to Mr Beaton and the Murray Pioneer on February 17, Mr Vikor claims response to a petition calling for the Lions name to remain attached to the area, when combined with nominations council received regarding the name change, were overall against adopting the new title.
Mr Vikor also claims the council’s Community Award Program Assessment Panel is dominated by Loxton-based members and that the imbalance impacted the decision.
“The Loxton members of this committee do not have any idea what Waikerie residents would like to have done in this town,” Mr Vikor said.
However, the panel had previously carried the recommendation unanimously, as did the council at its January meeting.
The CEO’s report also says that Mr Vikor is “no longer a member of the Lions Club and the club has distanced themselves from his views” – a statement verified by the Murray Pioneer with the club this week.
Mr Beaton’s report says the Lions moniker will be acknowledged at the newly named area.
“Council, in considering signage for the area, wants to still recognise the contributions to the older area by Waikerie Rotary with the Rotary Walk, the Waikerie Nature and Waterplay Park, and the Lions BBQ and playground areas,” he said.
Councillors will vote on Mr Beaton’s recommendation at their monthly meeting in Waikerie this Friday morning.