Melbourne mayor caught parking in disabled spot

Mayor of the City of Whittlesea Kris Pavlidis parked her car in a disabled spot
She was attending the launch of a cafe for people with intellectual disabilities
Former Whittlesea councillor Christine Stow was ‘sickened’ over the incident
It is understood that a decision was made to turn the car park into a ‘VIP’ spot
Ms Paldavis has since apologised and donated $200 to the community cafe

By Yael Brender For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 09:08 GMT, 27 November 2017 | Updated: 09:54 GMT, 27 November 2017

A Melbourne mayor has been spotted parking in a disabled parking – at the launch of a cafe for people with intellectual disabilities.

Mayor of the City of Whittlesea Kris Pavlidis has been slammed by former Whittlesea councillor Christine Stow, saying that she was ‘sickened’ to hear of the report.

Ms Paldavis, however, insisted that she has been instructed to park in the reserved bay by Yarra Plenty Regional Library staff.

The mayor of the City of Whittlesea Kris Pavlidis was 'told' to park her car in a disabled car spot

The mayor of the City of Whittlesea Kris Pavlidis was ‘told’ to park her car in a disabled car spot

Christine Stow (left) has slammed mayor Kris Paldavis (right) for parking in a disabled space

7 News understands that Mill Park Library Branch Manager Serena Bellotti made the decision to designate one of the disabled parking spaces for a ‘VIP’ during the launch of the Chancez Café.

But Ms Stow – whose daughter suffers from Schwartz Jampel Syndrome – said that she was ‘saddened’ by the excuse.

‘I am saddened for those who cannot walk or cannot talk, cannot defend themselves like my daughter Imyjen,’ she said.

Ms Stow further accused Ms Paldavis of ‘thumbing her nose’ at people with a disability and said she believes that the mayor should step down from her position.

Newscorp understands that Mill Park Library (pictured) Branch Manager Serena Bellotti made the decision to designate one of the disabled parking spaces for a 'VIP' during the launch

Newscorp understands that Mill Park Library (pictured) Branch Manager Serena Bellotti made the decision to designate one of the disabled parking spaces for a ‘VIP’ during the launch

Yarra Plenty Libraries boss Di Shaw apologised for 'any embarrassment we caused the mayor'

Yarra Plenty Libraries boss Di Shaw apologised for ‘any embarrassment we caused the mayor’

The former Whittlesea councillor brought up the incident at the council meeting following the incident, but was blocked because it wasn’t ‘relevant to the meeting’s agenda’ – which ‘sickened [Ms Stow] even more’.

Ms Paldavis has issued an apology and pledged to donate $200 to the newly-opened Chancez Café.

Yarra Plenty Libraries chief executive Di Shaw apologised and said she took ‘any embarrassment we have caused the Mayor’.