Mayor dumps on mum’s ‘attackers’ over parking breach

August 24, 2022
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COMMENT: BEING Fremantle mayor has its downsides, according to Cr Hannah Fitzhardinge’s latest Instagram post: “ … that is, the impact it has on your family. Because they love you and support what you’re trying to do, it’s usually an impact they are willing to bear. But sometimes it goes too far.”
The mayor then introduces her distinguished ‘Mum, Jody Fitzhardinge’ who, despite advanced scoliosis and associated pain, greets everyone at Japingka Aboriginal art gallery with a warm smile.
“I was deeply disappointed to learn that Mum has been subjected to public and sustained criticism about a Council administrative matter from a neighbouring business owner to her workplace – and worse still, from one of our own Councillors. Mum is suffering the stress of this – just because she’s related to me.”
Newsflash! It’s not about you. It is precisely because Jody is the mayor’s mother that she should be aware of the public scrutiny she could attract when, say, parking unlawfully on council property for more than a year (www.streetwisemedia.com.au/mayors-mum-caught-up-in-japingka-parking-dispute/).
As reported by StreetWise since June, Japingka gallery staff used its three bays at the rear of the Union Stores building on High Street to accommodate four vehicles at the financial expense and inconvenience of neighbouring business Port Jarrah Furniture. A fourth vehicle was allowed to park in an unmarked space.
Owner Clint Clarke issued a letter of demand to CEO Glen Dougall on June 26 asking to be compensated for not being able to use his bay Japingka’s staff had encroached on for the past 14 months.  Mr Clarke pays $215 a month for his bay behind the heritage-listed building where breaches of local parking laws can attract spot fines of $80 and prescribed penalties of up to $5000 for continuing breaches.
He is yet to receive a response despite a reminder sent to Mr Dougall on Monday.
Mayor Fitzhardinge conveniently ‘absented’ herself from what she describes as an ‘administrative’ matter on July 6, at least six months after she became aware of Japingka’s unlawful parking arrangements. Mr Clint did not know Jody until he saw a photograph of her with the mayor on election night last October.
By bringing mum into the frame as the victim when it is Mr Clarke who is out of pocket, Mayor Fitzhardinge belittles the role elected members play in public office by deliberately diverting attention to the ‘attackers’.
Her Instagram post has attracted more than 160 comments, most of which unaware of the real issue accuse the bully (Mr Clarke and a fellow councillor) of harassing the mayor’s mother.
Mr Clarke told StreetWise he is offended by the comments the mayor’s Instagram post has attracted. Of the few who don’t agree with the mayor, “I am sorry that your mum feels stress because of this, but it is human nature to expect ‘something for nothing’ if a family member is in politics or famous”.
Another: “When someone is paying for a service that they are not receiving and other people are receiving that identical service for free, that is the problem. There was such a simple solution but it has been blown out of proportion because she was in fact the mayor’s mother.”
The mayor’s post ends: “All I can say is that we need to have higher standards than this. If we want to inspire good people to go into public life and work hard in the service of our community, then let’s not reduce ourselves to attacks on the families of elected members. I don’t think that’s the standard of behaviour that Freo people expect from us, when there’s so many positive things we could focus our energy on.”
Dear mayor, the issue is not your mother. Had your mother not been involved, the issue would still be serious. The point is she allowed herself to participate in an unlawful act initiated by Japingka and overlooked by the City (and your post) for more than a year. She should be aware of the potential damage her actions could cause, just ask the Royals, Premier Mark McGowan or any other public figure. It’s a two-way street.
It was not until Mr Clarke went public with his grievance in June this year that the City moved to enforce its own parking laws.
And yes mayor, we certainly need higher standards in Fremantle. We need elected members to do their job and call out those who feel they can transgress laws we all abide with as a civil community.
Additional stories on the parking issue at www.streetwisemedia.com.au.