CINDY Fleming has accused Chamber of Commerce president Anthony Michael of being aggressive towards her while she was surveying businesses about the Town Centre Renewal Plan.
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Ms Fleming was conducting the survey for the Concerned Inverell Ratepayers Association who are opposed to the plan.
“He was very aggressive in his approach to me in the street, he asked me if I was doing a survey. He asked why I was against it and was verbally aggressive and quite loud,” Ms Fleming said.
Mr Michael has denied he was aggressive.
“I felt threatened," Ms Fleming said. "People in the street were turning to look to see what was going on. I didn’t go to the police, but I told Larry Cameron, who is a member of the ratepayers' group.”
Mr Michael has disputed Ms Fleming's version of events.
“I certainly didn’t intimidate her. I approached her on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce.
“The chamber is the representative of the business community in Inverell, not whoever she represents.
“My concern was that the information she’s asking the business community ... is wrong.
“I wasn’t aggressive, she thinks I was aggressive, but I beg to differ. I’ve got nothing to apologise for, I wasn’t aggressive.”
Mr Michael denied his behaviour was not in keeping with that expected of a shire councillor.
“I wear a number of hats and you have got to identify which hat I am wearing at the time,” he said. “Anyone who has issues with the CBD should come to the chamber, because that’s representative of the business community of Inverell.”
