We all knew the maiden voyage of the good ship Fraser was going to be a difficult one but we seriously suspect many of the incumbents thought it would be a much easier transition. Each and every council had more than a few skeletons in the closet and it was always going to be ugly as these were discovered and brought to light.
Freeclarion had an interesting article yesterday on a certain councilor who was heard in public to be moaning and groaning about her fellow councilors. http://frasercoastfreeclarion.blogspot.com/2008/04/cracks-appear-in-new-council-team.html
Another story circulating is that there is emerging tension within council offices as staff find themselves working under different personalities and in many circumstances changed work practises. One has to wonder what measures have been put in place to prevent this from happening.
Managing change was always going to be a major problem and the behaviour of some councilors already is not going to help. It is one thing to ensure the phones are answered and the rubbish still collected but we’re talking a complete upheaval where many individuals have been completely flung out of their comfort zones. We can only hope that our elected representatives pull their heads in, grow up a little and start setting an example for the rest of the team to follow.
John Neve writes:
Mr Glen Winney of Airport Industrial Estate fame, believes
someone should make a commitment regarding the proposed
water park. Councillor McNeven is “all for it” and of course she
would be. To oppose it would be in conflict with her future
husband. Mr Winney feels Hervey Bay’s infrastructure lags
behind our tourist’s expectations and he could well be right.
However, to expect ratepayers to provide such infrastructure
is not on. Both local and interstate entrepreneurs have created
this situation. In my view it is up to them to go the extra mile
and build the tourist style infrastructure.
If it’s a toss up between spending x millions of dollars of
ratepayers money on tourist attractions. Or the same amount
on our roads, I say go for the roads. Six years ago I said our
city should not put all its eggs in one basket, but our councillors
failed to listen. Let’s get some real industry into the Fraser Coast
Council’s region. Let’s give our young people some job choice,
not every one wants to be a drunks servant. Hitler once referred
to the British as a race of shopkeepers. Are we becoming a race of
tourist lackeys?
