Furious row on tatebook

Mayor called a ‘rude pig’ in online stoush with resident

TOM Tate has been called a “rude pig” over a Facebook post in which he asked a resident whether she was complaining about having to live in the Gold Coast battler suburb of Labrador.

As an embarrassing online war of words erupted with residents on the mayor’s official Facebook page, Councillor Tate admitted being tired, did not care if he won the next election and boasted that US President Donald Trump had copied his outspoken leadership style.

The row was sparked by a resident who asked where she was supposed to park after a flyer was placed on her car warning it would be towed at her expense if she did not move it for the Commonwealth Games marathon tomorrow. The female resident posted: “I live in sunshine crt (sic), Labrador Tom Tate, you know the little Crt (sic) with 4 houses on 500 sq mt (sic) blocks where you approved a 10 storey high rise, anyway we are blocked in when the marathon is on this Sunday and they have labelled our cars already with tow away stickers ... Please explain where you would like us to park? Another games stuff up ... Good one.”

The Mayor replied: “So you are whingeing to me about where you chose to live or that you have to park somewhere else for a day with the marathon coming through later this week?”

Several people called the Mayor out for “harsh” words and being “unprofessional and arrogant”.

The Labrador woman posted: “Read again? What I’m saying is six days out from the marathon and you’re wasting our rates money on sending council workers around to put ‘tow away’ flyers on our cars. You seriously are a rude pig …”

Cr Tate, who has this week hosted Birmingham Lord Mayor Anne Underwood in the lead-up to tomorrow’s Commonwealth Games closing and handover ceremonies, admitted he was a “a bit tired to be honest” but “it’s a marathon and we have around 10km to go to the finish line” as he thanked supporters for their encouragement.

But another slanging match erupted when a businessman suggested the event should be called “the lack of wealth games”.

Mayor Tate: “You are whingeing because you personally didn’t make a ton of money out of the Commonwealth Games?’’

The businessman: “Wrong! I made a heap of cash. You’re so out of touch with the Gold Coast locals. Can’t wait to vote for the mayor role again as I’m sure all the business owners are. Good luck.’’

Mayor Tate: “I couldn’t care less if I win or don’t win the next election like the last election where I got 74 per cent … I came before Trump so maybe he’s been following my lead.’’

Southport and Labradorbased councillor Dawn Crichlow said yesterday she had received many complaints about posts on the mayoral Facebook page.

“I get many complaints even from council staff at times about the rudeness of the remarks on the official Facebook page, the speaking down to people,” Cr Crichlow said. “Facebook is there for comments but when they make comments they’re treated rudely.

“I’m just wondering who is replying (on behalf of the Mayor) to these Facebook posts.”

The Bulletin approached the council just after 10.30am yesterday with questions for the Mayor, with the request forwarded to his chief of staff Wayne Moran. A response was not provided by deadline.

I CAME BEFORE TRUMP SO MAYBE HE’S BEEN FOLLOWING MY LEAD

MAYOR TOM TATE