BALLOT PAPERS

 Ballot papers should start appearing in our letterboxes early next week.  Don't forget that this year voting even by postal vote process is going to be compulsory.  GSBC has traditionally had a high voter turn out so it augers well for a good outcome in respect of compliance for our area.

This year, voters will only have to number 1 to 5 on the Councillor election ballot paper and remember that a Mayor or Deputy Mayor candidate must be elected as a Councillor before they can take up that seat.  It does seem somewhat confusing when the Electoral Commission count the votes for Mayor and Deputy Mayor first, or at least that is what they have done at past elections.  It then becomes a nervous wait for those who have been 'elected' to those roles to see if they are in fact elected to Council

GSBC needs a strong leadership team for the 2022-2026 Council 

Consultation is important to our residents and ratepayers.  Council has listened at Community Connects but have we really heard what our communities are saying? It is past time for Council to hear what our communities are saying about our performance, the impact of rate rises and the myriad of other matters that affect our people. 

In terms of shared values on community consultation, Mike Symons and I are on the same page!  A strong Mayor and Deputy Mayor team will be paramount in achieving change so after your preferred vote for Councillor please then

VOTE 1 – ARNOL (MAYOR)/SYMONS (DEPUTY MAYOR)

GETTING GSBC BACK TO BUSINESS!

(Written and authorised by Cheryl Arnol 10 Aubin Court Orford)

ELECTIONEERING

 

I am really pleased that some good people have stepped up to the mark and nominated for Council.  It's OK to be critical of a Council over the 4 year life but the real test comes when people actually feel so passionate about it that they nominate!

So what is good about this election is that Neil Edwards from Orford and Greg Luck from Swansea have decided to put their nomination where their mouth has been and step up to the plate.  Before anyone asks - yes I do have their permission to name them in this blog!

Both Greg and Neil are passionate supporters of their respective communities and will advocate for the best interests of the ratepayers across the municipal area.  Please consider giving them your vote for Councillor in one of the 5 boxes you will need to number on the ballot paper.

Add to this Mike Symons who has been on Council and has nominated for the very important role of Deputy Mayor.  Like Neil and Greg, Mike is a passionate supporter of his community of Bicheno and ratepayers right across the municipal area.  He was fiercely opposed, as was I, to the change to AAV rate structure without proper community consultation so Vote 1 Michael Symons for Deputy Mayor.  

Both Mike and I have to be re-elected as Councillors before we can take on the respective roles of Mayor and Deputy Mayor with your support BUT we need YOUR VOTE to be elected as Councillors before that happens.  

VOTE 1 - ARNOL/SYMONS

GETTING GSBC BACK TO BUSINESS!

Written and authorised - Cheryl Arnol 10 Aubin Court Orford

ELECTION TIME!

 

My nomination for Councillor and Mayor has been accepted by the TEC.  As an experienced Councillor, I will bring stability to the role of Councillor and Mayor.  It is 18 years since I last held the Mayoral role and so much has changed in that time with legislation and the planning scheme, it is quite daunting but an exciting challenge.

I was interested to note that nominations were only 12 this year.  I congratulate all those who had the courage to lodge a nomination for one of the most challenging roles anyone can ever undertake especially when acting as a planning authority!

I'm not going to do a lot of electioneering.  I don't know about you but I get really tired of all the Vote for Me pamphlets that hit our letterboxes during any election campaign and I've had too many signs defaced over the years to warrant spending significant sums on them.  

In terms of promises, local government really is a difficult beast.   Whilst State and Federal candidates can promise this or that and throw lots of money around if they get elected, local government candidates really can't promise too much. 

We can get elected and hope to change the world but reality is we are one vote. In the big scheme of things, all that can be 'promised' is that as an elected member you will listen to the community and act in the best interests of residents and ratepayers.

That could well be difficult if it is a planning matter.  Unfortunately sitting as a planning authority can sometimes feel a bit 'damned if you do, damned if you don't' situation.  Planning really is the most difficult part of an elected members role.

One of the promises I will make that is achievable, is a return to proper consultant-based community forums.  It will be argued that Council has been consulting with the community in the Community Connect sessions.  My view is that Council has been telling the community what they will do and what they can't do,  Where is the consultation in that?  Sure we can listen to the community but I question sometimes whether we actually hear what is being said.

If you have any questions, then please don't hesitate to contact me on 0419 533 615 or by email to cheryla298@gmail.com  

 (Written and authorised by Cheryl Arnol, 10 Aubin Court, Orford)