A small town Australian mayor was caught parking in a designated handicapped spot, and the mother of a rare disease girl is not having it.
The event took place at the Mill Park Library, just outside of Melbourne, where a cafe for people with intellectual disabilities was having its grand opening.
Christine Stow, a former Whittlesea councilor, has a daughter named Imyjen who suffers from Schwartz Jampel Syndrome and she was there to spot the mayor’s unethical parking job. Schwartz-Jampel syndrome is an extremely rare genetic disorder that is characterized by abnormalities in the skeleton and muscles. It results in abnormal bone development, and distinctive facial features. To learn more about SJS, click here.
From the information available, it seems like Cr Pavlidis had been given approval to park in the disabled spot by Yarra Plenty Regional Library under the direct authority of Mill Park Library Branch Manager Serena Bellotti. The spot was turned into a VIP spot during the launch party for Chancez Café, instead of being available for the disabled people that would likely attend the event for disabled people.
“I am saddened for those who cannot walk or cannot talk, cannot defend themselves like my daughter Imyjen,” said Christine to the herald sun. “The mayor is thumbing her nose at people with a disability so she should step down from her position.”
When Christine tried to ask for the mayor to be penalized for her actions at a council meeting, her requests were denied. She was sickened by that decision and so were others who heard about the story, which quickly spread on social media.
The mayor has thus apologized for her actions and promised to donate $200 to Chancez Café.
The Whittlesea Council made the decision not to penalize the mayor because offenses have to be witnessed by an authorized local law officer in order to be issued. Chief Executive of Yarra Plenty Libraries, Di Shaw, also apologized for the unfortunate occurrence.
