Auburn deputy mayor takes out paid ad in local paper to explain cause of disruption on wedding day
Auburn’s controversial deputy mayor, Salim Mehajer has taken out a paid advertisement in his local paper to deflect blame after his now-infamous wedding day.
Cr Mehajer says he is investigating the actions of ‘third parties’ who were hired to help manage the day, which was followed by ten days of controversy.
The nuptials became national news when the celebration shut down Lidcombe traffic during the occasion and Cr Mehajer has been the focus of intense scrutiny with everything from his business dealings to legal history in the public eye.
"I did everything within my control to ensure that my wedding caused minimal disruption," the Auburn Review advertisement claims.
"Prior to the day I applied for council consent for the partial closure of Frances Street, Lidcombe and I hired a traffic controller to minimise any traffic flow issues.
"Unfortunately, the interest and subsequent media attention attracted by my wedding did get out of hand. I am reviewing the actions of those third parties hired to determine if there was any breach of the obligations."
The Sydney Morning Herald reports its not the first time Cr Mehajer has been angered by third parties.
Last year, he accused someone of planting possibly deadly asbestos at one of his building sites in an attempt to discredit him. The site was forced to temporarily close.
The wide scale attention his wedding caused has also placed greater scrutiny on his property dealings.
"It is important that I clarify for the record the perceived inconsistencies, falsehood and negative press which has been generated by the media since my wedding," it says.
"Auburn City Council has also received some negative media coverage as a result and to this end I am regretful."
On Monday the NSW state government announced it would scrap controversial laws, which allowed councilors to vote on planning controls where they stood to benefit.
Local Government Minister Paul Toole told ABC radio on Tuesday that the government would look at further changes as part of the overhaul, including the call to ban developers and real estate agents from sitting on councils.
Cr Mehajer, who was fined $220 for the traffic chaos caused on his wedding day, said in his advertisement that he was committed to his role and was trying to"make a difference to peoples' lives in the council that I work in".
"I have been inundated with messages and opinions," the advertisement continued.
"I am in the process of returning all messages on behalf of the council, be it negative, positive or neutral and will continue to make myself available for this purpose."
It’s not the first time he has used the Auburn Review as a way to communicate with residents.
An advertisement under the heading "VICTORY over negligent driving" appeared in the paper in 2013 after he appealed a negligent driving conviction for hitting two pedestrians with his Ferrari 612 Scaglietti.
He also used it in 2014 to declare that he was about to start a legal studies degree.
"I have always had a passion for law," Cr Mehajer was quoted as saying.
This advertisement was paid for by The Australian Community Association - a not-for-profit organization, where Cr Mehajer serves as president.
"A concise understanding of the law is something that I believe each successful businessman must understand to keep the successful trend,” it read.
