Councillors cross swords

By Callan Date
TENSIONS have again flared in Casey council chambers with accusations of abuse and threatening language being levelled against certain councillors.
The latest incident stems from a fiery open council meeting last Tuesday.
Casey mayor Janet Halsall called Cr Kevin Bradford to order on several occasions for what she described as disruptive behaviour and inappropriate language.
Cr Halsall was animated and appeared distressed as she demanded Cr Bradford apologise for a remark.
Cr Bradford refused.
He later withdrew the comment after being requested to do so by the mayor.
Cr Bradford later denied abusing Cr Halsall.
“Unless Cr Halsall is a qualified lip reader she is unfortunately suffering from some delusion,” Cr Bradford said.
“I will stand up for my residents and if that means I need to argue the point in an assertive fashion, I will do that,” Cr Bradford said.
Cr Halsall countered saying she had put up with abuse from Cr Bradford since she began her term as mayor late last year.
“On other occasions, I have been able to carry on without saying anything publicly. But (last week) I decided enough was enough,” Cr Halsall said.
The mayor said she had come under extra pressure when she decided to support the reappointment of Casey chief executive Mike Tyler in November last year.