Letters To The Editor
Which lunatics are running the asylum?
The sorry situation in regard to the Brothers Rugby Football team and their
recent treatment by Lismore Council, when they wanted to discuss Council's policy
about letting Oakes Oval, is unfortunately not likely to be an isolated instance.
The view increasingly put forward by some senior Council staff is that 'councillors
are there to determine policy' and they should have nothing to do with operational
issues.
This might be an appropriate comment if the councillors were members of the
board of a private sector organisation, but local government is a sphere of government
and has very different responsibilities. This kind of rhetoric may impress newly-elected
councillors but is a nonsense that has nothing to do with the importance of democracy
or community, and much to do with the need for certain individuals to control
everything.
My own view is that in regard to the use of Oakes Oval, the outcome was right
as Council should honour commitments, but nevertheless Council's process in dealing
with Brothers' complaint was unacceptable. If the Council's Sport and Recreation
Policy Advisory Group (as I understand it on the advice of staff) did refuse to
hear Brothers' complaint, then we have reached a strange situation in regard to
the role of Lismore's elected representatives. No other level of government would
support the view, endorsed by Council's spokesperson Russell Kelly, that its committees
and members should not listen to citizens because they wanted to discuss 'operational
issues' or 'complaints' that should be dealt with by bureaucrats. Bureaucrats
may have their own personal agendas and they are not answerable to residents in
the way that councillors are.
How do councillors represent the interests of residents and ratepayers and
facilitate communication between the community and Council when communication
about problems with policies is filtered through the General Manager who, being
on a performance-based and time-limited contract, arguably has an interest in
demonstrating that the Council's performance is fine?
Whether an issue is operational or policy is a grey area at the best of times
and largely a matter of interpretation. This interpretation should be made by
those people the community has elected. No other sphere of government would tolerate
bureaucrats telling them what to do, and I know that most councils in NSW have
resisted, and are resisting strongly, to any attempt by bureaucrats to take over
what is clearly the responsibility of elected representatives - to listen to their
residents, determine for themselves whether what they are discussing is policy
or operational, to refer the issue to the General Manager if indeed it is clearly
operational, but to consider changing policies if they are need changing.
If we don't do this, then what's the point of having elected representatives?
Cr Ros Irwin
Lismore
Edited for length - Ed.
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Barking mad
In writing this letter, I'm fairly safe in the knowledge that I'm writing on
behalf of many. If you're not a dog lover, don't read on.
Council rangers are now travelling in packs. If they get the scent of a possible
$110 fine they will keep on tracking. There is no objection to the mandatory micro-chipping
and registration of dogs. It's the rule, it's policed, and by God you better obey
it!
Gone are the days when owning a dog was a fine and simple thing. Many of us
are beginning to feel very harassed and very poor as a direct result of owning
a four-legged friend. It would be reasonable if fines were distributed fairly.
Owner fined. Crime - dog not registered, $110. The cost of registering a dog
with Council that is not desexed is $100. (It's only fair that Council profits
from a dog's reproductive organs). The same owner pointed out an obvious case
of neglect in a neighbouring house. The dog was tied to a one-metre length of
rope, no food or water, surrounded by its own faeces. Nothing was done by the
Ranger. Concerned locals actively looked after the dog on a day-to-day basis.
Owner's dog mauled in own yard. Extensive vet bills for said owner. The owner
knew where the dogs lived. Nothing done as the incident was not reported within
12 hours.
Resident's chooks ripped apart and killed by a neighbour's dogs. Nothing done
as the incident was not reported within 12 hours.
Person fined for a dog that was wandering. The dog did not belong to them.
It's a case of it being their word against the Ranger's. Good luck with that one.
Miniature horse mauled by pig-hunting dogs. These owners, as far as we know,
were never found.
Owner fined for exercising their dog on the riverbank - they were throwing
a ball in fact. When asked why the dog was not on a leash, they stated the obvious.
$110 fine for that one.
Verbal agreement made between owner and Ranger. Owner promised faithfully to
have dog micro-chipped and registered by end of the week. Owner upholds their
promise. Has all the necessary receipts to prove this. However, is still fined
to the tune of $220. $110 for each crime. Please note the fines were not sent
out on the date of issue. They were not received until a week later. You only
have 21 days to pay. This owner really lucked out as now they only have a fortnight
to pay.
Cats, cats and more cats running absolutely rampant in a particular street.
A huge and destructive threat to our native wildlife. Brought to Ranger's attention.
Ranger's reply: "You have to catch them." Yep, that's fair!
I'm sick of these little tyrants masquerading as concerned and hard-working
public servants. The reason many of us haven't micro-chipped, registered and neutered
our animals is quite simple. It's very expensive. We do try though. My apologies
if I appear to be money biased. It is however a harsh reality. Some owners are
under siege. If they are seen walking their dogs (let's hope on a leash), these
Rangers have the absolute power to demand to scan your animal for the purpose
of locating a chip. If there is no chip in evidence, woe to you. You can expect
a fine of $220 as registration coincides with micro-chipping. So be afraid, be
very afraid.
Robert Louis Stevenson was once asked: "Do dogs go to heaven?" His
reply: "They will be there long before any of us."
Woof bloody woof!
Name & address withheld
Great fetival
The Northern Rivers Greenridge Health and Herb Festival went off a blast! The
festival was suited to groovers of all ages and was full of pure fun and riveting
programs. There was a Herbie parade with about 60 classic colourful VW beetles,
bugs and vintage cars, a fun run, talking tents and debates, and seminars on natural
living, medicine, healthy lifestyles and herb education, heaps of cool stalls,
activities, fashion parades from unique local designers and cooking comps and
demos. At the skate park there was a skate comp where the guys and even girls
slapped out there decks and busted out the moves, and a hip hop dance off and
some good old live Aussie hip hop from the local boys.
Jade Woodhouse was a pure inspiration talking about permaculture, sustainable
agriculture and quality lifestyle. She gave unique tips on harvesting herbs and
weeds (like stinging wattle) to brew teas for improved composting and attracting
useful earthworms. Later on Blue Feather shared his secret herbal remedies, then
charmed everybody with a recital on his Mohawk flute with an exquisite tambour.
There was even a huge 2.5 tall oil burner burning all weekend!
During the two days, the main stage was always pumping and there were bands
from all over. The music was brilliant.
The festival had a really good vibe. If you haven't been before you sure are
missing out. The weekend proved what a lovely region we live in and how lucky
we really are!
Claire Salkeld
Lismore
Bad sports
Laurie Axtens comments in Sport (Echo, Sept 8), reflect with great accuracy
the problems now seen by many to be facing the sporting community of Lismore.
As the article indicates, the concern expressed stems from changes made to
what had been Council's successful and long standing system of community committees.
These changes have seen these committees give way to Policy Advisory Groups
(PAGs) and it is the limitation being placed by Council staff on how the committees
should operate that has upset sections of the sporting community.
I agree with Mr Axtens when he points out that Council administrators "as
employees of Council have no right to set the parameters of discussion for PAGs."
To put the matter in perspective I feel we should look at how the Local Government
Council structure exists.
The General Manager has the exclusive right to employ and dismiss staff. Similarly
the elected councillors appoint, and may terminate, the employment of the General
Manager. Conversely the councillors are appointed by the community who have the
right to reject them, at the proper time, through the Council election process.
Looking then at where people stand in this order, the community are the top
people in the field of Local Government.
This is a point I feel should be born in mind and acknowledged by all and especially
those associated with councils and Local Government.
Laurie Cooper
Tregeagle
Get Ballina ticking
The splendid, late-Victorian courthouse building is the pride of Ballina's
CBD. But the building lacks a working clock in its tower.
To fill a gap in Ballina's social history, can anyone please advise when the
clock stopped, and whether earlier moves were made to resuscitate it?
Recent actions to restore the timing mechanism are to be applauded. Enthusiasts
contacted the present owners of the building, the NSW Attorney General's Department.
Cr Sharon Cadwallader followed that up with Ballina Shire Council. The Council's
general manager, John Christopherson, climbed the clocktower as part of the restoration
process.
In public question time at the last Ballina Council meeting I asked if the
restored timepiece would be noisy? Mr Christopherson assured the meeting that
the new electronic mechanism would not be.
My cousin, Joan Aked, had told me that her late husband Blue (Ted) Aked had
stayed in the building as a boy, when it was Ballina's post office. His uncle
was the postmaster. The chiming of the clock, particularly throughout the night,
disturbed the Aked family, who tried to muffle the chimes, she said.
While public pealing of bells, and other celebratory or distinctive sounds,
help mark special occasions, having the clock frequently disturbing courthouse
sessions would not be desirable, I thought.
But having the town clock ticking along again should add a timely touch to
Ballina's rejuvenated business district.
Marelle Lee
Lennox Head
Angels Beach antics
Those lucky people who use the Coast Road Overpass Bridge to access East Ballina's
greatest beach - Angels Beach of course! - will hardly have failed to notice a
few things happening recently. In case they're wondering, here's the story.
Angels Beach Dune Care has been beleaguering Ballina Council for a year or
more to have the stormwater drainage near the overpass repaired so that it stops
eroding the roots of immensely valuable trees every time we get a downpour. After
a long bureaucratic struggle getting permission, Council has now done the right
thing and directed the water to where it ought to go - into the seasonal lake.
So, that's what all the rocks and the heavy machinery were for. Thank you, Civil
Services!
Your friendly Dune Carers, whose main mission in life is to make Angels Beach
a better place for everyone to enjoy, will now be revegetating the disturbed site
and getting it back to normal. Why not come along and help? We're there every
Wednesday morning of the year, 9am-12 noon. Wear sturdy shoes, a good hat, and
bring a willing spirit.
Lee Andresen
Angels Beach Dune Care
Atheist values
Two letters of interest to me was Tom Koo's "Value vacuum" and John
Hannaford's "Value corrections" (Echo, Sept 8).
Tom's letter first. John Howard, our Prime Minister (as an Anglican Christian
worshipper), met with "selected" Islamic leaders over supposed "Australian
values".
Australian churches have been sprouting for decades that Australia was founded
on supposed "Christian values". As we now live in a multicultural society
where gullible people can choose whichever superstition they wish to follow, Johnny
boy could hardly say to the Islamic leaders that you have to adopt Christian values.
This would be like waving a red flag at a bull and all hell would break loose.
So the term Australian values was selected. There is of course no such thing as
Christian values. These same values that Christianity claims as their own existed
long before Christianity ever came on the scene and are, in reality, universal
values, adopted by all law abiding citizens regardless of belief in whatever ideology
you choose to believe in.
John's letter refers to the 'Intelligent Design' that should be taught
in secular schools. He seems to overlook that many secular schools have what is
known as R.I. This stands for Religious Instruction classes. These are Christian-based.
Secular readers should be pleased to know this is not compulsory teaching and
you can request that your child be excluded from this mythological dogma.
Intelligent Design is the controversial assertion that the universe and all
living things exhibit characteristics of an intelligent design or agent without
regard as to who or what the designer might be. The supporters of Intelligent
Design nearly all state explicitly that they believe the designer to be the Christian
God. This claim has not been accepted by the mainstream scientific community,
who argue that Intelligent Design does not constitute a research program as it
cannot be scientifically tested. It is therefore a theory and has been recognised
as creationist pseudo-science. It should not be a curriculum for state-run secular
schools.
Jim Lee
Alstonville
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