TIME FLIES

I really can't believe that it is a month since I said I'M BACK!  Time just seems to go by so quickly.

With the upcoming elections for local government, decision time as arrived.  What to do?  Do I stand for Council again after all these years on Council or walk away?  My heart says yes stand because I do enjoy the challenge of everything that is local government.  My head says don't be daft.  Do I really want to put up with the bullying and allegations of impropriety from a small sector of the community?  Should we let a small sector govern what we do when there are so many good people out there?

It does become a very complex question but then the role of councillor becomes more complex every day with changes to the planning scheme and legislation changing almost on a day basis. 

Unlike State and Federal elections where all and sundry promise the world and throw cash at it to achieve the promises, local government doesn't have that luxury.  You are one vote and unless you can convince your fellow councillors to support whatever, then it is not going to happen. How can you promise to change anything other than ensure you will act with transparency and good governance practices.

Don't forget to vote in the upcoming election.  It is yet another change to how we do things.  The government recently put in place mandatory voting.  Now that in itself is not that bad, but do they reasonably expect that mandatory postal voting is really going to work. 

When voting, don't forget that your preferred mayoral or deputy mayoral candidate have to be elected as a Councillor first before they can become either Mayor or Deputy Mayor.  

VOTE 1 FOR YOUR PREFERRED CANDIDATE FOR COUNCILLOR

and then

VOTE 1 FOR YOUR PREFERRED CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR OR DEPUTY MAYOR

I'M BACK!

I'M BACK!

It's been a while since I have done anything on blogger.  There have been some really difficult times over the past couple of years in local government that resulted in allegations about my integrity that did not sit well so I became very quiet on this forum.  

Things have been busy in Council with rates and budget discussions having just been conducted.  I actually voted against the rates resolution and ultimately the budget. In a 20+ year history on council it is the first time I've ever done that.

My reasons were very simple.  Whilst council has all the plans and strategies in place to meet the requirements of the Performance Improvement Directions and the Local Government Act to establish a sustainable future, the future this year is looking decidedly bleek for many.  Did we have to resolutely follow the plans?  The short answer is no.  As a council we should have adjusted the budget and shown some compassion for our community especially after the changes to rates last year. I did not agree with the change to AAV last year so I stood firm this year with the downturn in economy.  

There has been a lot said about the inequity of the Federal Assistance Grants for GSBC. It is a fight we've been having as a council for many years.  The methodology used to determine the grants needs a serious overall.  It is unfortunately not as simple as the Minister clicking his fingers and giving GSBC another $1million in untied grants that may ease the pressure on rates.

Shortly there will be a new election and a new council.  Have you considered standing?  It really is quite rewarding despite the frustrations and abuse that goes on from time to time. In a small rural council like GSBC it is very poorly paid in terms of an allowance for the hours put in and even more so for younger people.  If we reverted to meeting after 5 it may encourage younger people as it would not be necessary to take time off work.

Remember the next election is compulsory voting!

Till next time, 

Cheryl