Comments on: This week in Council

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 06:05:32 +0000

Hi Sadman,
Sorry for the delay in answering, things have been somewhat hectic again.
Why do companies support local government candidates? Why else! because they think a candidates favour can be bought.
Is Council about community? Yes.
If a candidate is well respected, surely word of mouth will get them elected? Umm – No.
Word of mouth should never be underestimated, but what if you’re an honest, highly respected, well known individual in Tiaro yet unknown in the Bay, and you want to stand against someone who (thanks to donations) can afford high levels of advertising in the regions radio, TV and newspapers? I’m afraid it’s a case of accept donations and advertise as much as possible or, die miserably in the polls.
Cheers
Paul

By: Sadman

Sadman — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 02:25:21 +0000

Paul,
I have a weakness, I take everyone at face value, I’ll never learn. But I ask
you Paul, why does a person or company give a local government candidate
thousands of dollars in donations? Look around you, who is doing most of the
construction in this area? In fact why does a person or company give any
local government candidate donations? Surely council is about community,
if a candidate is that well respected in the community they wouldn’t need
money, word of mouth would get them elected. Come on Paul, give us an
answer?

Sadman

By: Paul

Paul — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 10:27:44 +0000

Hi Sadman,
I don’t think everything was completely above board in the old Hervey Bay or Maryborough Councils and can think of a couple of winning tenders over the years that were highly suspicious …but I couldn’t prove anything. This council seems to be acting with integrity so far, but I’m willing to be corrected.
Financial support for elections is an unfortunate fact these days, but that doesn’t amount to bribery and corruption. If it did, the CMC would have to move its head office here
How councillors vote once they’re elected is supposed to be up to them. If it’s not and you can link their vote to a criminal offence (such as a bribe), please do us all a favour and call the CMC. Otherwise councillors should be as entitled to their opinion as I am mine. Five roles for one councillor is ridiculous though.
As for me working for the council… I really don’t. I’m a 53 year old bloke who’s been on a disability pension since 1991. My body may be messed up, but I still have a brain (and an x-ray to prove it) and use it to do some volunteer work, which I happen to call my job – even though I’m not paid for it.
Speaking of integrity, I believe Sue presents all sides of a discussion here and doesn’t just allow comments that suit her cause. Thanks for providing an unbiased forum Sue.
Cheers,
Paul

By: Jeanette Maynes

Jeanette Maynes — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 06:52:53 +0000

Hi Paul,

In this instance I’m 99% sure everything is not above board. Sue Brooks clearly reports on September 26th that an Anne Maree Althaus (from Mt Gravatt) was directly approached to design the Fraser Coast Regional Council brand Identity, surely that cannot be seen as an honest tender process. I also cannot see a metropolitan designer offering a substantially reduced cost in comparison to regional designer’s fees. Value for money, hhmmmmm I know several local designers that could have come up with something that had more ‘bang for the buck!’ Unfortunately without the opportunity to be involved in council decisions it’s hard to be on the right or wrong end of them.

Kind regards

Jeanette

By: Sadman

Sadman — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 00:45:06 +0000

Paul,

What do you mean by “every thing is above board these days”? Do you mean it wasn’t
in the past? Try looking at who supported who financially in the last council elections.
Look at how our councillors are voting. We have one councillors with five(5) roles,
most of us find it hard to do one thing well.

Come on Paul, are you sure you don’t work for the council?

Sadman

By: Paul

Paul — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 08:21:45 +0000

People often think the worst of councils, but I’m 99% sure everything’s above board these days. I’ve watched the tender process very carefully on several occasions and can honestly say that it’s weighted toward local business BUT, if a non local offers a substantially reduced price for the same or greater bang for the buck, the non local wins the contract. Council generally does a good job of making sure we receive value for money. That is, unless you’re on the wrong end of a council decision or don’t like the end product.
By the way, I don’t work for council, and I’m not on anyone’s “payroll”.
Paul

By: Ben Collingwood

Ben Collingwood — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 10:33:24 +0000

I’m with you Jeanette, makes you wonder how many other contracts go to non-local companies doesn’t it!

It would be much better if council would lead by example and encourage us to use local suppliers where available but I guess there are other considerations us mere mortals are not privy to.

By: jeanette Maynes

jeanette Maynes — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 23:37:27 +0000

Hi Sue,

Would you please be kind enough to direct my queries to Anne Nioa as it was her portfolio, she may have some insight?

Kind regards
Jeanette

By: Sadman

Sadman — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 21:48:10 +0000

Jeanette,
You disappoint me, while you are right on all counts. Remember, it’s not what you know, but who you Know
in this region. Parochalism and nepotism is alive and well.

Sadman

By: Jeanette Maynes

Jeanette Maynes — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 10:30:59 +0000

Hi Sue,

New logo, hhhhhhhhhmmmmm, I guess it looks a tad fresher than the font in a box (publisher clipart) we were previously using to represent out prestigious area. (Shame!)

I’ve noticed the new logo is designed by a non local lady in Mt Gravatt who does not have a business website, so I am wondering how our council could view her portfolio to come to a decision that she would be best suited to design a logo for an area she doesn’t reside in. Is she related to (a Councillor) * by any chance?

I have also noticed the Fraser Coast Regional Council website is designed and hosted by a business in Roma Street Brisbane.

Also could you please advise who is printing the new magazine, will this also be a business that is not located in the Fraser Coast Regional Council area?

I am astounded that the Council so obviously does not support or put money back into the local advertising | marketing industry when there are 25+ graphic designers, printers, website designers and hosting providers within the Fraser Coast. Many are ‘Award Winning’ in their fields and are more than capable of performing the required tasks and achieving extraordinary results!

Your views on this matter would be greatly appreciated…

Kind regards

Jeanette

Ps. As for the Hervey Bay symbol “What the ….?”
*moderated by Sue