Sarah Herrmann, Yorke Peninsula Country Times
A protest against the suspension of Yorke Peninsula Council elected member Adam Meyer preceded the council’s ordinary meeting last week.
Yorke Peninsula Ratepayers Association members gathered on the steps of the Minlaton Town Hall, holding A4 printouts of Councillor Meyer’s face, as well as signs reading “What truths are the CEO and mayor hiding?”, “Elected members should not threaten other elected members” and “It is the CEO and mayor who should be suspended”.
During the meeting, last Wednesday, January 22, some held up pictures of Councillor Meyer’s face over their own while sitting in the packed gallery.
More than 40 people filled the chairs, with some having to stand at the back or sit on the floor.
Interjections from the gallery during the meeting included applause following a 12-minute deputation from Iain McQueen, who argued against the recommendation to remove coin machines from boat ramps.
The recommendation was later unanimously passed, followed by multiple calls of “shame on you” from the gallery.
Mr Meyer was suspended from elected office without an allowance for one month, from January 10 to February 10, by statutory body, the Behavioural Standards Panel.
The panel found Cr Meyer committed serious misbehaviour in relation to two out of six allegations made by YPC regarding his behaviour toward a senior council officer.
Yorke Peninsula Ratepayers Association chair Ian Markos previously told the YP Country Times the association was unhappy the people who voted for Cr Meyer were now unrepresented, and they believed there was not enough evidence submitted to the BSP to prove the senior council officer had been harmed by Cr Meyer’s behaviour.
Frank Pangallo MLC and Narungga MP Fraser Ellis previously told the YPCT [Yorke Peninsula Country Times] they would investigate Cr Meyer’s suspension.
This article appeared in Yorke Peninsula Country Times, 29 January 2025.