I wish to thank the majority of independent and Labor councillors that have continued to support the Bexley Pool redevelopment and the future needs of Rockdale.
I must express my profound disappointment and my embarrassment in which the Liberal councillors have conducted themselves.
The electorate has not forgotten that during the last local government election the Liberal candidates were happy to promote their support for a new Bexley Pool. If the deliberate retraction of election pledges wasn't enough, after the airing of 7:30 NSW on Friday night, it is obvious that the Liberal councillors have created a very negative impression of our city that will take a while to reverse.
The councillors in question have done irreparable damage to their own reputations and that of their political party. The way they have conducted themselves has irreversibly damaged their personal political aspirations.
Select council members running down the street to avoid questions presented by an ABC journalist was reminiscent of an A Current Affair story on a dodgy car salesman.
This is not the conduct expected of an elected and serving member of our local government. The self-serving attitude does not look good for those who wish to use Rockdale Council as a political stepping stone.
Some members should not be so naive as to underestimate the awareness and perception of their electorate. Further to this, it astounds me how councillors with obvious ambitious aspirations use local government for their state government agendas — this is not what local government should be about.
The 7:30 NSW program has backfired on them. The current council situation is unworkable and some members are highly dysfunctional.
Philosophically, we cannot all agree in life and that is what makes things interesting. However, in regards to the Bexley Pool project, the deliberate avoidance of council meetings and the scant availability of explanation and discussion is immature and nothing short of contemptuous.
What image is Rockdale portraying to the rest of NSW when individual members suggest that we "renovate the current pool"?
I suppose Boy Charlton swam in the ocean and Dawn Fraser in the sea baths, so our next Olympian can swim in a patched up leaky pool, right?
The community of Rockdale want answers and we want this project. We need to put a swift end to this melodrama as soon as possible.
Matthew Burton, Bexley
Named and shamed
Re: "Council on notice" (Leader, November 25).
This welcome development has come about principally by sustained community pressure from independent councillors Mark Hanna and Liz Barlow, many ordinary residents and activist groups such as "Build Bexley Pool".
Congratulations to all those who kept up the pressure and demanded the recalcitrant councillors be called to order.
This is a step along the way to their ultimate dismissal, either before the next council election or at it.
Rose McCann
The money these Liberal councillors get comes from our rates. We are their employers. Does anyone know of any workplace where if you don't turn up without a medical certificate you don't have your pay docked? If you did it eight times, 100 per cent of businesses would sack you.
They are good at doing a "runner" (as per the 7.30 NSW program), so maybe they could all start a fitness centre.
Gerard Mclaughlin
Unethical behaviour
I have serious concerns about the behaviour of the non-attending councillors (Leader, November 25).
I have an expectation as a resident of Bexley that people who purport to represent me do their jobs. This behaviour collectively signals a blatant disregard for good governance and their behaviour borders on the unethical.
Dr Eugene Fernandez
Lack of respect
Re: "Councillors deny rift" (Leader, November 25). I read with interest the closing comment by Councillor Bezic regarding council being more inclusive and respectful.
Perhaps Cr Bezic and his colleagues on the council could explain how refusing to attend council for numerous meetings constitutes respectful and inclusive behaviour?
Cr Bezic and his colleagues have been mute in the media and to many inquiries from community members over the years about their position on the Bexley Pool redevelopment, among other issues.
It has taken a story on 7.30 NSW and broad coverage in the Leader for Cr Bezic to break his silence!
It has been widely stated that any lost parking at the Chapel Street site would be more than compensated for with publicly available space associated with the Chapel Street development and a significant increase in available parking behind the new library redevelopment.
Surely a premium sale price for a "lazy" council asset could go a long way to funding projects, such as synthetic soccer fields and an exceptional asset in the Bexley Aquatic Centre.
Stephen Le Bas, Bexley North