THE election of the new Bendigo Trader’s Association board descended into chaos this week when four of the appointed members quit after the announcement.
Within hours of the declaration of the 14 member board, anti-CBD promotion levy candidates Norm Quin, Ashley Harding, Harry Hart and Joanne Haythorne resigned, claiming they would not have a voice on the BTA board.
The move left the current executive scrambling for legal advice and forced the annual general meeting scheduled for that night to be delayed.
Returning officer David Wright was still trying to fill the vacanices yesterday, more than 27 hours after the result.
But as of 1pm yesterday,
Peter McGuire, Rob Grant, David Boyd and Martin Wruck filled the positions.
Pro-marketing levy candidates Julie Findlay, Jane Mildren, Maree Smith, Neil Athorn, Lisa Ruffell, Donald Pape, Vicki Bolitho, Peter Dehnert and Graeme Baker were also
appointed to the board.
Stella Stuthridge, who was linked to the anti-levy faction, has opted to retain her position on the board, however Jock Clark, also linked
to the same faction, declined.
Twenty five candidates nominated for the 14 vacancies, and only 155 out of a possible 800 lodged votes.
This week’s declaration followed aggressive campaigns from both factions.
CBD traders have been at war with each other since the BTA voted to collect more than $300,000 from traders, through the City of Greater Bendigo, to help promote the shopping area.
Some refused to shop at their opponent’s businesses.
Lisa Ruffell, who was the number one candidate on the pro-levy ticket, accused her opponents of trying to sabotage the promotional scheme and of not understanding it.
The rival group, headed by greengrocer Norm Quin, claimed the introduction of the levy was undemocratic.
Harry Hart said the decision not to take up his position with the board followed considered discussions with his faction.
He said his faction supported a board with mixed views but felt any suggestions they put forward would be outvoted.
“We spoke at length and decided we can’t represent the people that voted for us with the way the board is structured,” he said.
“It wouldn’t matter what we said, they would outvote us.
“Philosophically and ideally we’re at different positions and we haven’t got the ability to represent the people that voted for us.
“We’re not going to be bitter and twisted ... but if the revenue and people traffic from outside Bendigo does not eventuate then we would hope they would have the good grace to resign in 12 months.”
The BTA’s outgoing president Neil Athorn said he was looking forward to a board that included opinion from both sides.
“The way I look at things may not necessarily be the right way,” he said.
“It’s a shame we didn’t get to one meeting ... to find out ‘hell, we might have all agreed’.”
The new board will meet early next week to elect
office bearers.