Shellharbour Mayor David Hamilton was yesterday accused of leading councillors astray, lacking control and throwing chairs in fits of rage.
Councillor Hamilton became hot under the collar as he was cross-examined, and frequently interrupted Daniel Meltz, counsel assisting the public inquiry into Shellharbour City Council.
His regular response was that hindsight was a wonderful thing, and there were things he could have done differently.
Yesterday, the Mercury reported the Mayor's insistence that he had no need to be anxious, had nothing to hide and that he was confident he had done his job.
However, witnesses before Commissioner Richard Colley yesterday painted the Mayor as blustering and someone who was unable to control meetings and failed to promote a harmonious council.
Cr Hamilton turned up with solicitor John McEwan, who frequently objected throughout the first day of hearings in Albion Park.
The Mayor is the only councillor to have sought independent legal representation. The councillors as a whole have one legal representative, and council staff have their internal solicitor Bruce McCann.
The Department of Local Government's senior investigative officer, John Davies, said his experience of a council meeting back in 2005 during a review showed a council out of control, but a mayor making it worse.
Nearly three years later, the council's general manager Brian Weir was required to update the department on progress to lift the councillors' game. Mr Weir's March letter, introduced as evidence, said the situation had deteriorated.
But Cr Hamilton, who has a close professional relationship with his general manager, disagreed.
He maintained councillors had straightened themselves out since being given a final warning from the NSW Government last year.
During his evidence Cr Hamilton complained that certain councillors had insisted on taking an "opposition" role rather than being "team players".
Their opposing stance had created unnecessary rifts and debates.
Cr Hamilton came under fire from the inquiry's counsel for not ensuring all councillors were provided with the same general manager briefings.
Instead, the ALP caucus was briefed, and then the general manager joined the caucus to answer questions when required.
Cr Hamilton was told the practice was not conducive to good working relationships, and one briefing should have been held for all councillors.
Cr Hamilton said those intent on being the "opposition" would have turned such briefings into debating sessions.
Cr Hamilton was asked if he thought it appropriate decisions be made on the basis of the ALP caucus vote before councillors had heard public representations at the council meeting.
"No, that's where I correct you again. You keep asking that question. I told you that 80 per cent of the business papers are not even caucus decisions. And 80 per cent of the public participation matters are not caucus decisions. Please listen," Cr Hamilton said.
Shellharbour resident Harry Gooden told the inquiry he was told by independent councillors Geoff Rose and Helen Stewart of a meeting where the mayor lost his cool and threw a chair across the room.
Asked if the residents' portrayal of him was fair, Cr Hamilton said no, and blamed political motivations.
More stories in Tuesday's Mercury
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