The People’s Pen
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Last weeks “Mayors Say“ was unprecedented politicization from a prized public position. He has applauded the virtues of at least 12 Liberal Ministers of the NSW State and Federal government.
This group included at least one local Federal Liberal Minister who has taken notice of rules of engagement of the Labour party on how to “knife” an elected Prime Minister from behind. Sir, as the “grapevine grows “the Mayor also has had talks “on the quite “with the Greens, Shooters and Fishers, Christian Democrats and prominent members of the Labour Party. Motor bike enthusiasts, members of the “Muslim Brotherhood“, “Right of Life party“, Vladimir Putin and others may be a little peeved about being excluded.
Prior to the mayor having his next breakfast with the state Minister for Roads, Bridges and Waterways he should discuss the immediate need for a new Bridge and diversion of the Princes Highway at Narooma.
This bashed. belted and bored bridge is extremely dangerous and held together by multiple layers of First World War battleship grey paint should have a the highest priority.
The mayor should be aware all land has been identified on Government approved Council Environmental Plans dating from the last century. Our fore grandfathers recognised that only this would save “the flat “and our beloved Narooma.
Sir, it is essential that the Federal member, local council, local member, Andrew Constance, stop pussy footing around and move in this direction.
Fortunately the electorate is a responsible one and does not need to use the same brutality of a knife or sword.
A stroke of “The Peoples Pen” at the next State, Local, or Federal election will suffice. Inaction from both Ministers on the above Bridge combined with proposed amalgamations , continuing council mismanagement will destine Narooma to a flood and sea level and flood affected “no man’s land “.
Mr Mayor! Santa Brown came to Town with a compounding 26 per cent rate increase last Christmas directing it towards amalgamation.
As a result the closet form of government to the people of the Eurobodalla has been put in jeopardy.
The destiny of both Federal and State Ministers will also be chosen by those people if they don’t collectively and immediately instigate a solution to the planning, management and transportation problems of the Eurobodalla.
Peter Bernard
Dalmeny
Please be tolerant
Here in the Eurobodalla we don't see too many hijabs. We see few saris, few turbans, few black skins. Having no universities, no large scale fruit or vegetable growing or factories we don't attract the large numbers of Asian students or backpackers whose faces and accents are the norm in other regions of Australia and have become part of the "wallpaper". We are predominantly white, middle-aged and conservative, and we live in a very beautiful little backwater of this country. In many ways we are a very privileged population, but surely with privilege comes the obligation to share with those in need.
The idea to use an otherwise vacant local motel to house, temporarily, some of the Syrian refugee families who will be coming to Australia is certainly a worthy one. I'm sure Pat Eaton (letters Sept. 30) is neither racist nor uncaring. She, like many others in our community, is probably a little anxious - frightened even - that things might change, and they well might. But, Pat, the overwhelming experience in Australia is that this kind of change has been good for the country, especially since the 1950s. Hopefully, and with the goodwill of the community, the temporary accommodation will quickly enable these desperate folk to become permanent members of our community.
The negative arguments we hear and read about "not wanting them in our community" are exactly the same as those offered up about the "DPs" and "Refos" in the fifties, "wogs" in the sixties", "slopes" and "slants" in the seventies and now it's the "towel heads". Welcome them and help them and turn fear into pride. Remember, these are your future neighbours, your children's and grandchildren's future spouses, your dentists, doctors and food producers. Get over it, get used to it and get on with it.
John Cowan
Cadgee
Do We Really Want Them Here?
In my working life I've worked with some very nice people of the Muslim Faith.
One from South Africa, one of Indian origin.to mention just two.
Neither sought to press their beliefs on others, unlike the rabble that have come to our country over the past twenty years.
Now we in Narooma have the news that a motel here has been offered for accommodation to incoming refugees.
Firstly, the townspeople had not been consulted whether they were in agreement to an influx of another culture who seem to only want to change our culture and do not assimilate into our society.
Secondly, what are they to do here.
Even our youth have problems finding work, so, how are these people to do likewise?
Where ever these people have settled they have caused problems and, I speak of the times before 911.
Bankstown and that area have often been in the news, negatively for plroblems in the Muslim community, and, I speak from experience. My mother lived in Bankstown and after nightfall it was not safe to be walking the streets because of the muslim gangs. Even in daylight it was often best to use a taxi.
In England recently, when I was there. There were complaints from holiday makers because of the riff raff of refugee men loitering around the fronts of the hotels. On complaining to management, they found that the government was billeting them there with three meals a day and thirty five pound spending money a week. Many holiday makers cancelled and did not go to previously booked hotels or ended their holiday immediately.
Many of these "refugees" also complain that the government aren't giving them enough aside from all of the above.
It has beed proven that almost seventy five percent of refugee men streeming into Europe are not officially refugees.
A daily look on facebook gives me lots of laughs and some insight on how others feel about the world wide invasion from the Arab lands. One striking detail is that aside from Jordan, none of the arab countries have offered a helping hand to these people.
So why should it be left up to the west and countries like Australia?
I could state what others have said. "It is a worldwide invasion to create a Caliphate".
So why should we allow these people to come here and do all they can to make us change our lifestyle to suit their medieval lifestyle and beliefs.
I think this cartoon sums it up on the freedoms we have lost since these people began coming here. Including the freedom of speech.
You might call me a racist, but, you would be wrong.
I stand by the principles I was raised with, including many years in the Scouting movement, that all should be treated as equal, but, when others appear and do not want to abide by the laws of the country they have moved to, then as Malcolm Turnbull has said, "We don't want you here. Living in Australia is not compolsory".
And as Bill Shorten stated "If you don't like it here you can always go back to where you came from".
Whilst the De La Salle offer is a charitable offer, it is not one that this town needs.
John Hunter
Narooma
Bike safety message
Last week my friend Ken Palmer was knocked off his push bike by a car in Caringbah and died in hospital three days later.
Ken's death followed that of two other cyclist friends: David Kenneally's massively injured body was found near his damaged bike on a quiet country road near Armidale last year and Geoff Bradbury was run down by a speeding car some years before at Heathcote.
All were experienced and safety-conscious cyclists.
Australia's world champion road cyclist, Cadel Evans, says that Australian drivers seem to be less respectful of cyclists than in any other country in which he has ridden.
Why is it that shock-jocks can, with impunity, call cyclists on public roads "cockroaches on wheels" ?
And why, in the town in which I live, can the construction of a safe main road crossing for school kids, cyclists and pedestrians, jointly designed and funded by the RMS and local Council, be left incomplete due to opposition from the town's Chamber of Commerce ?
Jack Miller
Bermagui
Thanks for memories
During the morning Anzac Day services earlier this year the Eurobodalla and Far South Coast Coast National Servicemen's Association arranged for a RAAF Hercules C130 to flyover nine NSW south coast towns as part of the 100 year centenary commemoration event.
At the same time Moruya Aero Club pilots Sheldon Jones, John Dolean, Gglen Fulot and Mike Leth, in their own aircraft, added to the days importance by flying over Batemans Bay, Morura and Tuross Head in the Southern Cross formation as depicted on our national flag.
As a gesture of appreciation to these pilots and the Moruya Aero Club a luncheon bbq is being held at the club premises on Sunday October 18th where a presentation will be made by Alan Shephard, our district Nasho's president..
Alan Shephard, president can be contacted for further information at 4473 8027 or 0427 008 437 for further comment.
Eurobodalla and Far South Coast National Servicemen's Association members and friends are invited to attend a luncheon bbq on Sunday, October 18 at the Moruya Aero Club commencing at 12noon.
Sausages and salads will be provided but please bring your own drinks, crockery, cutlery and picnic chairs.
A presentation will be made to the pilots of the Moruya Aero Club who flew over the district on Anzac Day with their aircraft in the formation of the Southern Cross.
Paul Pereira
Publicity Officer
Far South Coast Coast National Servicemen's Association
Syrian refugees
I note with special interest the proposal for the De La Sale Brothers and Red Cross to house Syrian refugees in 45 units located on the Princes Hwy Narooma. I have been both a Prison Officer and a Police Officer for about 30 years.
I took special note in the 80's that the Gaol heavy at The MRC Long Bay Gaol was middle eastern I won't mention his name, but I believe he was shot dead in a back lane in Kings Cross after his release. When I moved on as a Police Officer I encountered more Middle Eastern People, including Syrians, who might I say were the most violent, dishonest, disrespectful people I have ever met.
If you think that bringing Syrians to the Far South Coast is a good thing, then think again. Believe you me, these people have no employment prospects and are going to be a burden on taxpayers and the local residents. In addition to this I will even stick my neck out and say they are no good and are nothing but trouble.
I am talking from experience. They commit more crime out of all proportion than any other race. For those who will no doubt slag me off and shout me down as a racist, I say to you, pull you're head out of your backside and wake up and smell the roses.
Bill Turnbull
Narooma
Syrian refugees
My response to the suggestion that we take Syrian refugees in Narooma would be, a very firm no. We have a huge problem with unemployment in the area and our youth, more often than not, find it necessary to relocate to gain employment. Taking Syrian refugees would only serve to compound the problem.
Australia currently leads the world on a per capita basis for accepting refugees. I say let other countries share the burden and provide accommodation for these people. We have for a long time now punched well above our weight.
The toothless Tiger, that sham of an organisation known as the United Nations seem to be strangely silent regarding the situation. Makes you wonder just what role they play in anything !
A government’s first responsibility is to it’s own people. I would like to see that as fact, rather than fiction. Look after needy Australians first then, we can consider others.
Gordon Williams
Narooma
Mayor’s say: Community meetings
Our three community meetings in Narooma, Moruya and Batemans Bay were well attended by around 200 people and I thank those of you who were able to attend and join the conversation.
The feedback that I’ve read and heard so far was quite positive and complimentary with good suggestions for how we could improve these community information sessions in the future such as making more time for open discussion and questions from the floor. Many of the questions submitted before the meeting and from the floor were operational and quite specific and I remind everyone that you can phone, email or write to Council any time with questions of this nature – no need to wait for a community meeting. Some questions were more of a strategic nature about policy direction and again, please contact me if you would like to discuss decisions made by Council.
The meetings are for the whole community to have an opportunity to talk with us, have some questions answered, and meet Councillors and staff. I believe it’s important they do not become a platform for a handful of people who have specific and long term grievances about policy direction and decisions already voted on and made by this Council, or a platform for political parties.
These meetings are an addition to an extensive list engagement activities where we go out into the community to meet with residents. This includes a monthly Council stand at local markets, and our senior management team regularly meeting with representatives from more than ten community and business associations and residents groups. Our staff and some Councillors meet residents when they regularly attend Chamber of Commerce and community group meetings, and at community events. Council staff hold street meetings to talk to residents about locality matters, and residents are invited to workshops and forums on specific topics. Our Council advisory committees, sunset committees and other project committees - which are made up of community representatives - meet four to six times a year.
In a more formal way, anyone is welcome to register to address Council before the fortnightly Council meeting on matters either on the agenda or anything else, and we regularly invite the community to provide feedback by putting plans and policies out for public exhibition.
In addition to providing extensive information on Council’s website and in our libraries and customer service centres, we regularly send an email newsletter to subscribers, post updates on Facebook, and 26,000 residents will have received their quarterly Council newsletter in the mail in the last week. I travel 50,000 kilometres a year up and down the length and breadth of our wonderful Shire meeting and talking to people. You only need to pick up the phone and talk to me, or let me know where and when you’d like to catch up.
You can contact me at mayor@eurocoast.nsw.gov.au or phone 0418 279 215.
Cr Lindsay Brown
Mayor of Eurobodalla Shire