Bullying by 'rogue councillor' claimed

Dunedin city councillor John Bezett's Toyota RAV4 blocks the vehicles of Steve and Lorraine...
Dunedin city councillor John Bezett's Toyota RAV4 blocks the vehicles of Steve and Lorraine Hawkins in their Portobello Rd property on Saturday. Photo by Gerard O'Brien.
A Portobello Rd resident is threatening legal action against a Dunedin city councillor amid claims of what he calls ''bullying'' in a neighbourhood dispute.

Steve Hawkins said John Bezett told him to ''be prepared to catch the bus'' after the councillor used his Toyota RAV4 to block the Hawkins' cars in their driveway.

Mr Hawkins and his wife, Lorraine, were ''absolutely, utterly sick'' of the ''bullying'' and said the ''rogue councillor'' had prevented the pair from driving to work on Friday.

Mr Hawkins said he would speak to his lawyer about the matter today as it had ''cost us money and has caused us stress''.

Cr Bezett said yesterday he was unwilling to discuss the matter.

''He's got a particular attitude that's hopefully being sorted out,'' Cr Bezett said when contacted.

''He's threatened to go to the media a number of times, he's gone to the mayor, he's gone to police and most people have ignored him,'' he said.

''There's other issues he's had with neighbours around here. They may wish to make a comment, but I'm certainly not going to make a comment.''

Mr Hawkins said: ''It's absolutely astounding that a councillor would stoop to this level.''

The dispute related to access to a right of way on Cr Bezett's property, he said.

The Hawkins say the easement is their legal right and Cr Bezett is illegally blocking their vehicles.

The couple could not park their vehicles at the top of the driveway because it was unstable due to stormwater and that was what caused the dispute, with Cr Bezett taking umbrage at their parking further down the drive, Mr Hawkins said.

Senior Sergeant Brian Benn said police received a complaint from Mr Hawkins about 10am yesterday.

Although the matter was a civil dispute, police would follow up the matter with both parties today, he said.

Mr Hawkins said Cr Bezett parked his car in the drive on Friday so the Hawkins could not get their cars out, and then rode his bicycle to work.

''We were absolutely gobsmacked - we couldn't believe he would just lock his car and get on his pushbike and leave his car there for the day,'' he said.

Cr Bezett rang him at the weekend, he said.

Mr Hawkins played a recording of that conversation to the ODT and after a brief exchange, Cr Bezett can be heard saying, ''You best be prepared to catch the bus in the morning.''

Mr Hawkins said he had previously maintained good relations with the councillor.

He would sue Cr Bezett to return the couple's access to their property if needed, he said.

-timothy.brown@odt.co.nz

 

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