Coffs Harbour Chamber of Commerce president, George Cecato has called for the resignations of the Coffs Harbour City councillors who voted against the motion to sponsor Rally Australia’s future events.
In a bold statement, Mr Cecato said the decision made by the councillors has the potential to harm the future of the Coffs Harbour business community.
“I would like to see those councillors involved in that decision resign immediately from the council because if they are going to carry on with such rubbish and create such a situation for us in the business community we don’t want them as our councillors,” he said.
While Coffs Harbour mayor, Denise Knight is united with the chamber in its outrage over the council’s decision, she disagreed with Mr Cecato to ask for resignations at this stage.
“Do I believe councillors should be sacked for one mistake? No I don’t think they should be sacked,” she said.
Cr Knight encouraged all interested parties, the council, the community and the chamber alike, to wait until the formal processes are completed at the next council meeting with council to vote on the rescission motion put forward by Cr Keith Rhoades.
She hopes evaluating the motion at the April 28 meeting will clear up any confusions within the council and Rally Australia can continue sponsorship negotiations with the council.
“What I do believe is let the process go through. Let us go through with the rescission motion, hopefully the councillors will realise what they’ve done,” Cr Knight said.
Councillor Mark Sultana -who voted against the original motion -is in support of the rescission motion put forward by Cr Rhoades.
Cr Sultana said he was reluctant to agree on sponsorship for the 2017 rally event at the last meeting following ‘the disappointment of last year’s rally.’
“Why would you do that (agree on future sponsorship) when you’re not sure how this year’s rally is going to go?,” he said.