JUNEE’S only chemist has been forced into an embarrassing back down after refusing to serve council staff and their families.
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Babies and grandparents were among 200 people deprived of medication after a bizarre tiff between the Capital Chemist and Junee Shire Council escalated this week.
Owner Jane Gentle remained tight-lipped about the controversial decision, despite plastering it on her shop-front window.
She has since claimed the conflict has “been resolved”.
A war of words has erupted in the Junee community, with many residents furious at the exclusion.
Mayor Neil Smith said the move arose from a long-running dispute over a clean up order and a council request for the business to improve pedestrian access.
The Daily Advertiser understands Ms Gentle was also infuriated when council flagged a fence around her personal property as a safety hazard.
Junee Shire maintenance workers eventually pulled down the fence, drawing the ire of Ms Gentle.
She and Cr Smith met in Junee on Tuesday morning to discuss the heated dispute.
When Cr Smith emerged from the discussions, he declined to comment on the outcome – electing not to speak further on the topic.
It is believed his Junee councillor colleagues were also gagged from voicing their opinions.
However, Cr Pam Halliburton decided to briefly weigh in on the debacle.
“There’s two sides to every story,” she said.
“I don’t take it personally but I think it needed to be dealt with a lot better.”
Mark Jefferson, who lived in Old Junee for eight years, said the chemist’s conduct was “disgraceful” and “bore resemblance to the actions of North Korea”.
“What did the spouses and kids of the family do wrong,” he said.
“This is guilt by association and is something North Korea would do.
“Let's just punish the whole family because someone or some body is not playing ball.”
Some residents also spared thoughts for Capital Chemist employees who had to enforce the bizarre policy.
Junee local Matt Kennis feared his partner would be abused as a result of the ban.
“I’m just very cranky that people are judging without knowing,” he said.
“She will stand at the counter and cop backlash for something she has no part in.”
Relatives of council staff were forced to travel to Wagga, more than 40 kilometres away, to buy their medication.
The notice, placed on the front window of the Junee Capital Chemist read:
“Due to the inaction of Junee Shire Council and its staff, as of Monday May 22 all councillors, executive staff and their families will not be permitted to enter the premises...”
“All credit will be suspended until further notice.”
However, a number of residents rallied behind the store’s decision.
“Good on the chemist for standing their ground for whatever the reason,” one user said on Facebook.
“The council is a absolute disgrace in this town anyway.
“There must be a logical reason behind all this so we cannot judge as we don't know what's going on.”