A by-election for a vacant position on Canning council is already turning nasty, with a former councillor receiving hate mail urging her not to run.
The by-election, triggered by the retirement of Beeliar ward councillor Lindsay Holland after he moved out of the City of Canning, will be held on December 9 at a cost of $36,000.
The successful candidate will serve out the rest of Mr Holland’s term, roughly 10 months, before the next set of local government elections in October 2023.
Mr Holland announced his retirement at the city’s agenda forum on September 13, however a letter posted to former councillor Yaso Ponnuthurai, dated September 12, would seem to indicate someone knew the election was coming.
Ms Ponnuthurai, a former Beeliar ward councillor, was defeated at the 2021 local government election, polling 1807 votes, behind successful candidate Paul Tucek’s 2040.
The anonymous letter, sent under the moniker of “the Indian and Canning Community”, labelled Ms Ponnuthurai a “fake tamil”.
“I know you and you know me,” the letter reads.
“I am writing this letter on behalf of many “true” Indians (not fake Tamil) with the intent to make sure you never run for politics or the council.”
The author also claims they are securing proof of Ms Ponnuthurai’s emails and phone calls by using “a gifted hacker”.
“I suggest you get a real job and continue playing music and supporting “women”
“Do not underestimate our intent.”
While Ms Ponnuthurai is yet to decide if she will run in the election, she said this type of abusive letter, which has been referred to WA Police, is nothing new.
“Every time I have run for mayor or councillor, I have received letters like this, so I believe this is absolutely about the Beeliar by-election,” she said.
“I never get letters otherwise.
“It makes you wonder who is behind this, given the timing of the letter and Lindsay’s retirement.
“I can only laugh, to be honest, but we need to get the message out to women that it is important to run for local government.
“There is an under-representation of women on Canning council, there are only two women on council at the moment so that needs to be rectified.”
While nominations for the Beeliar ward by-election do not open until October 19, several local community members have already flagged their intent to run.
