GUNDAGAI Council administrators have banned the city’s Lions Club from selling fundraising mints at their office counter.
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Ratepayers are outraged following revelations the volunteers at the Lions Club will no longer be able to sell flavoured mints to raise money for the community.
The Daily Advertiser understands the breath-freshening lollies were removed by council staff to “set a precedent and prevent clutter”.
Gundagai businessman and former member of the Nationals’ state executive John Knight said the “petty power play” had rekindled the town’s battle against forced amalgamations.
“This just goes to prove how far removed those making decisions are from how our community works in Gundagai,” he said.
“We’ve heard whispers that it was because of 'clutter' which makes it even more ridiculous.
“The fact is, these mints were an integral part of the community.
“This decision is making a mockery of our community spirit and belittling and degrading the work of these selfless, respected and valuable citizens.”
It comes two months after the old Gundagai shire finally lost its fight for independence against forced mergers and deposed mayor Abb McAlister was lumped with a hefty legal bill.
They were merged with Cootamundra and renamed the Gundagai-Cootamundra Regional Council.
“Our Lions are devastated and we are sure they are feeling undervalued and gutted,” Mr Knight said.
The club, which has raised money for charity through the sale of its trademark mints for more than 30 years, said the banning of its fundraiser boxes "was highly disappointing".
Lions executive officer Rob Oerlemans said the community and those in need would suffer from the decision.
"We will just have to abide by these regulations, but the money we raise from these sales fund things like research into child cancer, spinal injury and diabetes prevention," he said.
Shadow Minister for Local Government Peter Primrose weighed in on the decision, posting a brief comment to Facebook regarding the future of the Lion’s mints.
“It’s a very stupid decision,” he said.
Australia’s Paralympic athletes, the Australian Lions Childrens’ Mobility Foundation and Childhood Cancer Research Foundations have been just some of the recipients of funds raised by the mints.
They are sold by the organisation all across the country, except for South Australia.
The Daily Advertiser contacted council administrator Christine Ferguson for comment but was unable to obtain a reply before publication.
