Mandurah mayor's Facebook post prompts social media slanging match

The spat started after town ward councillor Dave Schumacher posted on his public Facebook profile condemning Mandurah mayor Marina Vergone for openly expressing her support for three council election candidates.

“After eight years service to our community not just as a City councillor, but in the community work I have done, the current Mayor is publicly displaying her support for two other candidates for the town ward?,” Mr Schumacher wrote on the post.

“She is not publicly supporting any current sitting City councillor at all even two great City councillors that have served our community well for the past 12 years councillors Darren Lee and Lynn Rogers, I do not believe nor should a mayor be publicly and openly supporting any candidate.

“Political party influence in local government is intolerable and must be stopped.”

Between September 25 and 26, Ms Vergone posted on her public Facebook page expressing her support for town ward election candidates Paul Cobb and Colin Purslowe, and east ward candidate Todd Jenkins.

“Paul has some great ideas and gets what is needed to keep Mandurah moving forward,” she wrote about candidate Paul Cobb.

“He has my vote.”

Mr Schumacher’s post sparked an online debate in the comment section, with councillors Darren Lee and Lynn Rodgers, also up for re-election expressing their disappointment about Ms Vergone’s posts.

“Politics have no role in local government elections,” Ms Rodgers wrote. 

Mr Lee also said Ms Vergone’s actions were unethical.

“I am not upset by not being endorsed by the Mayor, I am invigorated by it, but it is questionable as to what is the intent?,” he wrote.

Both Mr Schumacher and Mr Lee came under fire from Ms Vergone’s husband, Phil Vergone, who joined the online conversation to defend his wife.

Mr Vergone accused Mr Schumacher of changing political sides “like you change your underpants”, referring to his involvement with the Labor and Liberal parties during past state elections. 

The Mail understands he also posted a comment on behalf of candidate Colin Purslowe accusing Mr Schumacher of being a hypocrite and Mr Lee of being untrustworthy.

The comment also accused Mr Schumacher of securing a deal with other councillors to get their support for the deputy mayor role, currently held by Mr Lee.

“I'm sorry Dave, but I have serious trust issues with you and so should you councillor colleagues and the rate payers of the town ward,” the post read.

Mr Vergone also accused Mr Schumacher of starting the spat with his “disrespectful rant” about Ms Vergone and defended his wife’s commitment to the City of Mandurah. 

“She has worked her guts out since being the mayor for no other reason than to make Mandurah a better place,” he wrote.

“You should know the crap and backstabbing she has put up with but stood strong in her beliefs.”

The post also sparked comments from the local community both in favour of Ms Vergone and against.