Southern Highland News.28.4.08

Council to investigate chamber head's debt
8:50AM Wingecarribee Shire Council will investigate whether it can recover a $24,0106 outstanding debt from Highlands Waste Services, a defunct company formerly run by Mittagong Chamber of Commerce president Charlie Johns. [more]

Letter to the Editor.Southern Highland news. 28.4.08

Dear Sir

Thanks Mac for your appraisal of the Extraordinary meeting on Wednesday the 16th of April (SHN 18.4.08). You certainly put an interesting spin on the proceedings of the evening. Like you, I was very impressed by the 400 plus residents who actually got themselves motivated enough to come along and voice their protest at the totally arrogant attitude of the majority of Councillors. The block must be an incredibly thick one, as even the pleas of 400 plus residents and rate payers could wear them down. So much for listening!

I voiced my contempt on the night at the blatant disregard of public sentiment shown by the now gang of seven. The point was continually missed by my fellow Councillors who were always determined to push ahead under a smokescreen of promises and public consultation to manipulate their own agenda.

I still cannot and will not believe that those Councillors who profess to be listening to the community, in all sincerity believe that they are acting in a fair and democratic way. Even though they would have the community believe that they will listen to the poll, I am afraid that the deal has been done. The ink has all but dried on the for sale signs.

Why was I continually goaded by Clr Malcolm Murray to commit myself to go along wit the Poll when he himself has so blatantly ignored and insulted the will and the intelligence of the community?

I did agree to abide by the result of the poll as Mac Cott pointed out, but this was conditional on the magnificent Seven showing the integrity and sincerity that comes along with their own commitment. In other words, my agreement was based on fair play, that is if they had agreed to be honourable and " taken no action in relation to the reclassification of the land" until after the polls.

They of course did not. I believe their sincerity was tested on the night and from where I sat, they failed the test. This may be because they had already made up their mind.

The deal is done. If not, they would have shown their sense democracy by holding back until the results of the poll were known, not thumbed their collective noses and continued with their double speak and attempts at patronising the crowd.

Mac, I think people know where I come from. I do not and have not ever sold this community out, nor will I try to deceive the people of the Wingecarribee, nor bamboozle them with platitudes and patronisation.

Also Mac, I would see a number of advantages in playing the popularist, rather than the unpoularist, particularly when you believe, like others, in what you are fighting for.

Faithfully yours,

Clr Larry Whipper