Richmond Valley Notes

with Therese Schier

Poo politics

The most contentious issue at Tuesday's final meeting of Richmond Valley Council before the elections was the continuing delay in plans to upgrade the Evans Head sewerage treatment plant.

Chair of the water committee, Cr Don Harvey, said that after further twists and turns by the Department of Environment and Conservation on the outstanding issue of where to dispose of treated effluent, his was told that the Department may have an acceptable solution to put to the committee at next week's meeting.

Cr Col Sullivan argued that if a solution isn't found soon, then Council needed to "get political".

"We need a minister who can pull his department together," he said. "The council is ready to build the STP and there are members of the community and government bureaucrats delaying this."

Cr Rob Mustow agreed.

"The plant should be built and the government department should be told that it's built, and what are you going to do about it?" he said.

Mayor Charlie Cox cautioned patience.

"The timing for pressure should be left until we know the results of next week's meeting," he said.

Voters get to decide on March 27 which of those three men they want to lead the valley.

Bentley Art

You've got to hand it to Reg Hartley, he sure knows how to organise an Art Show, distributing the entry forms already for the annual Bentley Art Prize on August 6-8. You'll find them in the sorts of places artists visit - galleries and framing shops, as well as The Echo office.

Reg also has the ability to twist the arm of highly experienced judges and notable politicians to open the exhibition. Add food and entertainment and you'd be mad to miss a trip to the Bentley Hall. Put it in your diary now. Contact Reg on 6663 5253

Casino Art Centre

And if you can't wait for August to exhibit or see, then the Casino Art Centre is looking for local artists to submit works for their next exhibit in April.

Gallery director Peter Gallo has come up with a beauty for May and June to coincide with Casino Beef Week and the Primex agricultural exhibition.

"The most exciting project we have planned is an exhibition of major HSC works for the past decade," Peter said. "We will pay any reasonable expense to have the works delivered to Casino."

Peter has a great commitment to helping unemployed youth and is calling for young people to help rebuilding his old car.

"We are looking for volunteers to help in this project," he said. "We need mechanics, panel beaters, auto electricians, trimmers, air conditioning mechanics, etc. But most of all we need the youth of Casino, Kyogle and Lismore to carry out the work."

Contact Peter on 66627 325, write to PO Box 1226 Casino 2470 or email casinoartcentre@yahoo.com.au.

Murder he rained

You'd think a grisly murder would scare people away, but Casino is hoping a 1930s murder will actually bring tourists to the town.

The launch of the book Murder in the Rain outside Casino Post Office last week may bring amateur sleuths and murder mystery buffs to follow an historical trail in the same way Jack the Ripper has become a tourist attraction

The book details the murder of a young woman from Queensland 70 years ago. She travelled with two men who visited country towns repairing boots. Whilst in Casino, the men hatched a plan to murder her. They picked up a packet of strychnine delivered to Casino Post Office and bought a bottle of stout from the Commercial Hotel to hide the poison from their victim.

Whilst the story had a most unpleasant ending for the young woman, Brisbane crime enthusiast, Jack Sim, has written his first book, Murder in the Rain as part of a series, Murder Trails, and hopes it will inspire an interest in regional history.

"I hope it will encourage people to take the opportunity to follow the trail, visit the sites and relive a crime - a murder committed in the rain - that is now part of history," he said.

You can find out more from Jack's website www.murdertrails.com.au.