Shaggy Dog Comments...

The gossip from Shaggy's sniffer dogs mates is that when the copper choppers turned up last week for the annual cannabis raids, their first port o' call was a rather colourful farm that features prominently in Lismore Council's 'rainbow region' promotions.

Democracy has moved online, with two groups contesting the Lismore Council elections setting up websites to explain what they're on about. The 'Independents for a Better Future', led by Crs Ros Irwin and David Tomlinson offer their guff at www.bettercouncil.org, while the Action Now! Group, led by Brian Henry and Barry Crimmins, are telling the world their views at www.action-now.net

On Tuesday, Richmond Valley Council met for the penultimate time before the March 27 elections. It's led some councillors to contemplate their mortality, with Cr Ray Jeffries observing that "I may only have one more meeting left in me". It didn't take long before Cr Mustow replied, "I wish you wouldn't get my hopes up like that."

The Boundaries Commission sat in Lismore this week to consider the fate of a large slab of Evans Head and New Italy, which could become part of a Grafton-based council. A number of Richmond Valley councillors went along to view proceedings, but came away unimpressed. Cr Jeffries recounted how they seemed largely disinterested as people gave submissions. He could have a point - after one person giving the commission both a written and oral submission that stated the population of the area affected, the first question he was asked was "What's the population of the area?"

Proving you're never too old to learn, Cr Col Sullivan, who has a couple of decades of local government experience under his belt, said he's learnt more in the last 6 to 8 weeks from his involvement in the Local Government Boundaries Commission than during his entire council career.

Amidst all the hubbub about politician's perks last week, one chap escaped everyone's notice until it came up in Senate estimates this week. Remember Dr Peter Hollingworth - the former Governor General who resigned after less than two years in the job? Sure it was all a bit messy at the time, but courtesy of the Australian taxpayer, you'll be pleased to know he landed on his feet. The good doctor is now enjoying an annual pension of $184,000 a year, a car and driver and first class air travel for life. On top of that, he has a 145 sq-metre 21st floor office in Melbourne, with one assistant, at an annual rental of $85,000. Getting the digs set up lumped taxpayers with a bill for $234,000. The way things are going, if you're keen to try your hand at being the Queen's rep Down Under, you'd better start sucking up to Mark Latham now.

It seems the left hand didn't know what the right hand was doing at Lismore City Council last year when Council voted to ban fishing at Lismore Lake. It emerged at last week's Council meeting that the day after the ban was imposed, Council's parks manager issued a commercial fishing licence to a Yamba fisherman to trap eels. General manager Paul O'Sullivan put it all down to "administrative error". The licence was subsequently revoked.

Forgive us one small indulgence - Shaggy's brother, Nick, is getting married this weekend to a wonderful lass, Sarah 'Banjo' Patterson. We wish them all the best for a wonderful future together.

Free GP for youth

Young people aged 14-25 in Byron Bay, Lismore and Ballina who want to see a doctor can get free (ie bulk-billed) visits under a pilot program from the Northern Rivers Division of General Practice.

GP Dr Rob Trigger said young people were using the doctor less than expected - and that cost was a barrier. Local youth workers are providing the vouchers (pictured above) so teenagers and young adults can visit the doctor for free.

If you're keen, contact the following youth services in Lismore: Anna Tonkin, school health nurse (Kadina and Lismore High) at Goonellabah Community Health on 6625 0111; Deanna Bowen at Community Mental Health on 6620 2967; Tammie Day at Reconnect on 6622 8344; or Joanne McNally at Community Connections on 6622 3143.

In Ballina: Eric Belling or Suzie Riggs at Community Mental Health on 6686 8977; Peter Moore at Ballina Youth Service on 6686 7776; or Marlene Hitchens at JPET on 6686 6555.

Youth workers will also help young people apply for their own Medicare card if they don't have one.

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