RESPONSE TO LETTER IN LOCAL PAPER

In a local paper recently, Council Candidate Kenneth Gregson made some statements that required a response.  The paper determined that because I had named the candidate any response would be in breach of the Electoral Act as I didn't have the candidate's permission to name him.  Whilst that is accurate if one is spruiking a particular candidate for election, my response was hardly doing that!  I amended to generic terms in the letter but with no publication success so I've decided to self-publish here in the original format.

Council Candidate Kenneth Gregson made several comments in the last issue of GOBC news that cannot go unanswered.

The amount of pensioner rates remission is not a decision that is made by Council.  The amount of the pensioner rates remission is the sole decision of the State Government.  It is a reasonable assumption that there should be a whole of sector submission put to the State Government on the matter and LGAT may well be the forum for that to happen.  It is a matter that not only affects GSBC pensioners but the whole local government sector.

The change from AAR to AAV is not a decision that I agreed with.   It was very poorly implemented by Council with seemingly little regard for the plight of older ratepayers who now have the good fortune to reside in homes that have a high AAV.  The reasons given for the change were flawed and as such I voted against the decision.

When did Mr Gregson become an expert on planning matters in relation to the Prosser Plains Raw Water Scheme (named as Tassal pipeline)?   The matter was dealt with by full Council in accordance with qualified advice presented at the time.  The Solis development is still an active DA.  It should be noted that Tassal is currently meeting all financial obligations (principal and interest repayments) in accordance with their contract.

Why were previous GSBC’s allowed to operate outside of the Local Government Act, and by whom? What evidence does the writer have to support such an allegation?  I seriously doubt the Local Government Division would allow a Council, any Council, to operate outside of the Act if this is an evidence-based statement.

Again, when did Mr Gregson become a planning expert without the benefit of the qualified advice reports presented to Council at the time?  Cambria will be dealt with by Council acting as a planning authority when/if the necessity arises.  Should Mr Gregson be elected to Council, he can put all his planning expertise to good use!!

(Authorised by Cheryl Arnol 10 Aubin Court Orford)

SO THIS IS ME

 

Gender	Female (She/Her)
Occupation	Director
Location	Tasmania, Australia
Introduction	I have had a long involvement with local government; becoming a Glamorgan Spring Bay Councillor in 1996, Deputy Mayor in 1997, Mayor 1999 - 2005 and Deputy Mayor from 2014-2018. Served continuously as Councillor from 2007 till present. Awarded a Centenary of Federation Medal for Services to GSBC. Current panel member with the Marine Farming Planning Review Panel (5 year appointment)  Currrent Member Veterans Reference Group. Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD) and Member Institute of Community Directors (MICDA). December 2021 completed two terms (6 years) as a Director of the Forest Practices Authority. 2019-2022 Lay Member Legal Profession Disciplinary Tribunal I have been a club, State, National and International administrator over a 40-year competition clay target shooting career. In 2012 awarded the Australian International Shooting Ltd Fellowship Award for services to international shooting which included being Chair of Selectors for London and Beijing shooting teams. I have won numerous titles including National Ladies High Gun and Macintosh Ladies Team High Gun.
Interests	Reading crime novels, sewing, clay target competition
Favourite Films	Anything with Richard Gere in it!
Favourite Music	Roy Orbison, Luke Bryan, Bruce Springsteen
Favourite Books	Anything by John Grisham, Linda LaPlante, James Patterson. In fact, any crime or law based!

POSTED YOUR BALLOT PAPER YET?

  

Have you posted your ballot paper yet.  This is the return as at 3 pm today

4479  Glamorgan Spring Bay      2616   58.41%

It represents 8% over the State average and 16% in front of Hobart City.  Currently our area is running 4th in returns - Dorset and Kentish are at 59%, GSBC and King Island are neck and neck on 58%

GSBC has traditionally polled well even before compulsory voting and it looks like that trend is continuing.  

Don't leave your ballot on the kitchen bench and risk a fine.

Your No. 1 vote would be appreciated for both Councillor and Mayor.  Don't forget Mayor and Deputy Mayor candidates have to be elected as a Councillor too.  It does get a bit confusing when the votes for Mayor and Deputy Mayor are counted first.  It can then be an agonising wait to see if you have been elected as a Councillor. 

VOTE 1 - CHERYL ARNOL - COUNCILLOR

VOTE 1 - CHERYL ARNOL - MAYOR

(Authorised by C Arnol 10 Aubin Court Orford)

PLAY NICE SAYS MINISTER FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT

 

The headline in today's issue of the Mercury -

Local government minister Nic Street has slammed bad behaviour during campaigning for council elections, urging candidates to be accountable for their actions.

What I find distressing is that candidates across the State are being targeted in one way or another but are they being targeted by other candidates?  Why should the signs of candidates be defaced especially signs of candidates who have never stood before for election?  Why should those candidates who have been on Council for previous terms be subjected to inuenndo and derogatory statements about past decisions?

If that is the case, then candidates need to be accountable but more importantly how do they intend to sit around the table with those who may be elected with them and maintain a good working relationship.

The Minister went on to say - 

“Individuals that hold public office at all levels of government should be held to high standards in terms of behaviour. They are leaders in the community and are relied upon to represent, and make important decisions on behalf of, the community.”

In this week's edition of the GOBC news, there is a letter from a candidate that makes a number of comments about previous councils and how matters should have been dealt with by incumbent councillors.  What is missed by the writer is that individual councillors cannot make decisions in isolation.  All decisions are made by a majority or in some cases an absolute majority.  What is worse is this allegation -

Why were previous GSBC’s allowed to operate outside of the Local Government Act, and by whom? 

Who is the writer referring to as 'by whom'?  Again, in Council there is no one person who can make decisions that would mean Council is operating outside the Local Government Act.  As a long-term councillor, I'd like to see any evidence that the writer may have.

Don't forget to vote.  It is compulsory this year. 

ARNOL/SYMONS - GETTING GSBC BACK TO BUSINESS!

 

 

'

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

GETTING GSBC BACK TO BUSINESS!

 

In terms of shared values on community consultation, Cheryl Arnol and Michael Symons are on the same page!  A strong Mayor and Deputy Mayor team will be paramount in achieving change.

A Mayor and Deputy Mayor, both with local government experience, and who are committed to working together will provide sound leadership for Council 

Glamorgan Spring Bay residents and ratepayers deserve a leadership team that will encourage Council to listen and advocate for communities.  

(Authorised by G Arnol 10 Aubin Court Orford)

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