18 December 2008

Ejection justified

“Asking Police to eject a group dressed in Santa suits and woman’s clothes from this morning’s Council meeting was totally justified following the earlier Ku Klux Klan incident from the same person,” Kapiti Coast District Council chief executive Pat Dougherty said today.

The scheduled Council meeting was adjourned by the Mayor and the group were asked to leave under Standing Orders.

“The Council made it clear following the earlier incident that there would be less tolerance for eccentric behaviour which was disrespectful of the Council and its role and today’s incident involving several people dressed in Santa suits and the leader, Dale Evans, in woman’s clothing clearly fell into that category.

Mayor Jenny Rowan said, “Whatever message Mr Evans and his group wished to deliver to the Council could and should have been delivered in a respectful manner which the Council would have listened to respectfully and responded to.”

The Police were called and the group were asked to leave on the grounds of trespass. They were advised if they did not leave they could be arrested. They left quietly.

Mayor Jenny Rowan reconvened the meeting and apologised to Councillors and members of the public for the delay and the disturbance but she made it clear that behaviour which was disrespectful of the Council would not be tolerated.

“It may appear like an over reaction but the individual concerned has been advised that he is welcome in the Council Chamber and at meetings provided he respects the Council and does not try to make it a laughingstock in pursuit of his own particular political ends.”

ENDS

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