The leader of the council administration has launched a stinging attack on a Labour counterpart, accusing him of “blatant politicisation”.
Strathmartine councillor John Alexander has written an official open letter to Lochee representative Michael Marra, accusing the labour councillor, among other things, of creating fear and alarm among constituents by using “conjecture and speculation”.
Mr Alexander’s said his ire towards Mr Marra stems from the Lochee councillor’s decision to discuss concerns about the Menzieshill Community Centre with the press rather than the local authority.
He said: “You indicate your fear at Leisure and Culture Dundee’s potential role in the new community facility and the charges for its use.
“Yet, there appears to have been no attempt, absolutely zero, to engage with Leisure and Culture to seek their response, nor has there been any research undertaken.
“They also don’t appear to have been given the opportunity to respond.”
When the article was published, a comment had been received from the local authority, a spokesman for which said it was too early to say how the community centre will be managed, or by whom.
Mr Alexander continued: “Politicians generally have a poor reputation. The reason I first stood for election was due to the fact I was frustrated with politics.
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“Your approach sadly provides the perfect illustration of the reason I was frustrated as a 22-year-old Dundonian – politics defined by a negative narrative, by political posturing, by attempts to create fear and by opposition for opposition’s sake.
“As a councillor and as a community leader I would have hoped you would have acted on those interests without seeking to create fractures where none exist, or indeed where none need exist – as your conjecture is not consistent with the reality.
“While you don’t live within Dundee, I do and I live within the Lochee ward and it frustrates me to see an area that I am passionate about continually talked down.”
Responding to a Mr Alexander’s letter, Mr Marra said: “I have absolutely zero interest in engaging with baseless personal attacks.
“I will continue to raise issues of substance on behalf of my constituents.”
