Richmond Valley Notes

with Therese Schier

Bunch of Fives

Lismore City Council may have had its 'six pack' but Richmond Valley Council now has a 'bunch of fives'.

Councillor Ray Jeffery dubbed the group of councillors headed by Mayor Charlie Cox's team of Sandra Humphrys, Peter McLennan and Norma Wise, together with Robert Mustow, the 'bunch of fives', accusing them of voting as a block to defeat the remaining four councillors on contested issues at the initial meetings of the new council on Tuesday.

Crs Col Sullivan, Ray Jeffery, Shirley Wheatley and Norma Thomas make up the minority group and appeared continually frustrated at losing the vote.

Cr Mustow insisted that the majority group is not a voting block, but simply a "majority of councillors".

The divisions began in the morning's extraordinary meeting held to choose the Deputy Mayor (see below) and delegates to various committees and regional bodies. The minority group, perhaps sensing they would not be chosen, wanted to allow any councillors the opportunity to go to the Local Government annual conference, but lost out to the 'bunch of fives' who voted to restrict the number.

The heat rose further over the choice of Casino-based councillors Humphrys and Mustow to represent council on Rous Water. The minority group felt that council's delegates should live in the area administered by Rous Water and not in Casino, which administers its own water supply.

The acrimony continued in the afternoon meeting when Mayor Cox was forced to defend himself from accusations by Cr Col Sullivan that he had failed to show leadership over the closure of the Casino/Murwillumbah rail line.

"We owe our community leadership on this issue," Cr Sullivan said. "Sitting here writing letters is not the action to take."

Mayor Cox said he supported taking a delegation to the minister but would wait to see the outcome of a meeting with the combined mayors (see front page) before acting.

He said he had shown leadership, adding: "I'm not reluctant to get political."

It's going to be a long four and a half years!

New Deputy Mayor

Earlier in the day councillors elected Sandra Humphrys (pictured) as Deputy Mayor for the period up to September 2005 when the position will be up for grabs for 12-month periods.

Cr Humphrys defeated Shirley Wheatley and Ray Jeffery for the position.

Cr Humphrys said she was encouraged to stand by the numbers of women who asked had she considered nominating.

"This said to me that women were looking for someone to speak to them and act on their behalf," she said. " I want to do something for them."

Youth in Evans Head

A project targeting early intervention measures aimed at ensuring young people are safe on a Friday and Saturday night is being trialled in Evans Head.

Mid Richmond Neighbourhood Centre, in conjunction with Richmond Valley Council, is to conduct a 10-week trial using youth workers to patrol the Caravan Park and the surrounding areas.

Mid Richmond Neighbourhood Centre general manager Gretchen Young said consultation with the community will take place over the next two weekends and she encouraged people to provide comment. Contact the centre on 6682 4334.

Top Sow

Pinedock Stud piggery operated by Chris Dockrill (pictured) at Clovass has won the Grand Champion White Sow at the 2004 Sydney Royal Easter Show.

The stud won the K.H. Harris Memorial Perpetual Trophy for best bacon sow of the show.

"I'm very pleased," Mr Dockrill said. "It gives us identification and recognition that we've got good quality stock."

Please feel free to contact Therese with any Richmond Valley news, events, or story ideas, at or Ph: 6662 7735, or fax: 6662 2811.