Readers have reacted to the revelations a council candidate was asked to step aside in this year's byelection to make way for the head of the ratepayers association - one labelling it 'embarrasing'.
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Cr Peter Sycopoulis told The Standard on Wednesday Warrnambool Ratepayers Association president Brian Kelson had asked him to step aside if he won the March countback so Mr Kelson could take the seat vacated by then councillor Peter Hulin.
Cr Sycopoulis made the comments when asked by The Standard to respond to Mr Kelson's claim the current council was the "worst in living memory".
Mr Kelson had also erected ratepayers association corflutes which called for all seven councillors to be voted out at October's local government elections.
Some readers defended Cr Sycopoulis about comments made about him saying anyone who knew him and listened to him on council topics "understands that he is passionate about this town and people. Money has nothing to do with it".
One described the revelation as "embarrassing for us all".
Another wrote: "Did not expect that? Was wondering why Peter's pic was on your sign. I for one will be voting for him to stay on council."
"To ask a fellow candidate to step aside so you can take his place is horrible," wrote another.
"I really hope candidates that want to be taken seriously distance themselves from the ratepayers association and this negative behavior," one wrote.
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