A former mayor has been accused of making “malicious” accusations against a woman who runs a charitable organisation in Dartmouth.
And the current mayor was forced into distancing the town council from the claims at this week’s council meeting.
At the beginning of last month, the Chronicle sought comments from the town council about two stories – one concerning its flat over the Butterwalk; the other about the decision to block Dartmouth Community Chest from setting up its stall in the Old Market.
The town clerk responded on behalf of the council – and, despite not being asked for a comment by the Chronicle, so did former mayor Cllr Richard Cooke.
Cllr Cooke’s email to the Chronicle accused Dawn Shepherd, who runs Dartmouth Community Chest, of having “some sort of relationship with the market manager”, among a series of comments questioning Ms Shepherd’s integrity.
Chronicle editor Stuart Nuttall contacted Ms Shepherd and put the claims to her and she vehemently denied them.
At Monday’s council meeting, during time allocated for public questions, Ms Shepherd challenged the council about the “derogatory letter” Cllr Cooke had sent to the Chronicle.
She asked if the allegations made by Cllr Cooke were shared by the council and she listed them.
* That I obtained my pitch in the market by being in some sort of relationship with the market manager.
* That we smoke and drink cider out of cans in the Butter Market, causing other traders to leave.
* We claim to be a charity but are not registered as such and have not provided anyone with audited accounts.
* No one knows where the charitable donations end up.
* The council gave ‘them’ a grant for a van in the past, but has had heard nothing since.
Ms Shepherd said: “These contorted and frankly malicious views of me and my work in the town have shaken me to the core.
“These words do not represent me and the work I do for the Community Chest.
“I feel horribly maligned and am devastated that this council should hold such an inappropriate opinion of me.”
She said the letter sent by Cllr Cooke “goes along way towards explaining its actions in removing me and the Community Chest from our fundraising stall in the market”.
The current mayor, Cllr Rob Lyon, said he had no knowledge of Cllr Cooke’s email and said that what was written was “not a council view”.
He told Ms Shepherd: “We are very pleased with what you’re doing for the town and we appreciate your efforts.”
Chronicle editor Stuart Nuttall said he had previously decided not to publish the comment because of the nature of the allegations.
He added that the paper was having difficulty knowing who from the council it could trust to comment on stories.
Cllr Lyon responded that the town clerk was the voice of the council.
He added that any councillor speaking to the paper not through the town clerk meant it was the councillor’s view and not the town council’s.
Mr Nuttall said he had queried the letter with Cllr Cooke having spoken to Ms Shepherd. He said Cllr Cooke had said: “I was trying to explain to your reporter some of the frustrations we have had as a council.” Mr Nuttall added: “He didn’t say it was his own opinion.”
Dartmouth resident Linda Goss asked Cllr Lyon: “So does that make that email okay then with the council? I would like to know what your feelings are in regards to Dawn Shepherd and the Community Chest.”
She said she had found the mayor’s previous answer “unacceptable”.
Cllr Lyon said he believed Ms Shepherd and the Community Chest group did a good job for the town.
The former market manager involved in the allegations, Julian Mead, attended the meeting with his partner, Beryl, in support of Ms Shepherd.
He said he hadn’t seen the email from Cllr Cooke but that when he did he would consider his options.
Mr Mead added: “I am obviously extremely displeased and I don’t like my honesty or integrity being questioned.”
Cllr Steve Smith said he would like it recorded that he did not support Cllr Cooke’s views.