Jobs for the boys

We received the following by email this morning:
When is an Election not a Election? This was the question asked, by many of the disgruntled members of the FCSBRTB (Fraser Coast South Burnett Regional Tourism Board) after yesterdays Election for an Area Representative. To vote you have to be a member of the FCSBRTB ok that’s fine. The problem arose when members who could not attend, voted by proxy, using a friend who could attend,to lodge it for him,and being available,should it be necessary to check the authenticity of the proxy.

(Section 21.13 (v1) of the constitution of the Fraser coast south burnett regional tourism board) Reads as follows. A member may vote in person or by proxy or by attorney and on a show of hands every person present who is a member or a representative of a member may have one vote only in addition to his own vote and in a secret ballot  every member present in person or by proxy or by attorney or other duly authorized representative shall have one vote only in addition to their own vote. Phew! any legal help greatly appreciated.

Back to the story. After much red faces by the board and heads in books 15 minutes had passed only to be told, subsection 25b paragraph c (Yes minister) that the votes held by the non members (Friends) FGSBRTB were nil and void, that’s, that. All are collected and the ballot closed, not quite, the Treasurer was noticed,rushing to the door with a hand full of papers which were thrusted into the ballot box. Needless to say we lost, but we would like to know why the Council, Ouick Cat 2, Golf Club, RSL, the list goes on, voted for a person who, not only did not send his apologies and not even turn up, to vote.

 The majority of members are small business, as much as 90%, all we wanted was person on the board to air our ideas. We will all be looking very carefully at our membership of the FCSBRTB and after reading the report, where half of the 1 million dollars, goes in running costs and $60000 for a new vehicle, we have to ask “What do we get for our money” Jack Tish. Congratulations to the new Area Representative Damien Sillers – Peppers,Stella Group/MFS, remember the company,when you read about where all council functions are held. You always have to “Pay the Piper”..

 

BBS writes: simple solution (we think) – if all the small operators on the board quit and stop paying membership dues.  We doubt it would ever happen but if everyone pulled out, the big fish might have to take notice. (Update: see the latest post for the flip side of this debate)