Thanks to "The Leader" for reporting yet another motion to have certain Georges River councillors stand aside while ICAC investigates a very old corruption allegation. Your reporter did the ratepayers a service by belling the councillor cat and asking questions that should have been reported to the council. Councillors are not required by state legislation to stand aside while they are being investigated and ICAC does not comment on their investigations.
This whole sorry saga commenced with a motion by councillors to investigate allegations against two councillors regarding a trip while the councillors were on Hurstville City Council and what may have happened with a rezoning. That should have been the end of the issue, but no. Information was leaked to the Sydney Morning Herald. Certain lily-white councillors, who obviously have no idea of the legal doctrine that "a person is innocent until found guilty in a court of law", have hounded the ICAC inquiry.
Some time back, processes under "Code of Conduct" rules to clean up the council took place. It seemed strange to those looking on that many of these were taken against councillors who supported residents, a role for which they were elected. It is now clear that old files from previous councils are being dredged up and old issues long resolved are once again being aired.
It is time for the aforementioned lily-white councillors to give the residents a break and investigate whether it was legal for a February motion to expend $1.3 million on "ICAC" when a number of councillors questioned whether this was legal as they had not been given adequate information. After all, this $1.3 million and all the code of conduct investigations probably make up at least 10 per cent of the council deficit for which Georges River council is seeking an outrageous rate hike to pay for.
Brian Shaw, President, St George District Residents Network Inc.
Editor's note: A councillor can be suspended, dismissed or disqualified from office by a recommendation from the ICAC under sections 440B or 440G of the Local Government Act 1993.
You can't legally park on council property
I've recently had a dispute with a neighbour who seems to think that it's okay to park their vehicle blocking the footpath, which is used by rare people known as pedestrians. Googling, I was shocked to discover that it is actually illegal to park in driveways at all because it is council property. You can't legally park on council property, but nearly every street in Sydney, let alone in St. George and The Shire. you'll find one vehicle that is parked illegally. Time to get more staff to fine the whole metropolitan area or give it and people a rest.
Name and address supplied
Birds saved by WIRES
What a wonderful, organised, caring group are the volunteers at WIRES. A situation was brought to their attention the Thursday before Easter. They swung into action, organising appropriate people to care for the birds involved, Arrived Easter Sunday and systematically saved the entire flock. Another Easter miracle, thanks to WIRES.
Elaine Cameron Peakhurst
Beverly Hills master plan
Council is displaying the new Master Plan, which does not reflect the Community's expectations nor the state government's guidelines concerning high density to face rail corridors (land is available) and not significant thoroughfares. The car park's proposed new zone caters for high density, but underground pipes and an easement compromise this site. How can the council justify the proposal for high density to face King Georges Road when land is available for high density to face the rail corridor?
Council has ignored the Beverly Hills Town Centre Vision 2018 Engagement Summary Report and the ratepayers that supported the council.
James Strickland, Beverly Hills
Marching on Canberra, without High Heels?
I want to comment about the Women marching on Parliament House.
I would say, let no man stand in their way because their need is great and their cause is just, but under the circumstances, might they be better off having a quiet word with Mrs Morrison, the keeper of the Prime Ministerial conscience, to get their important message through?
Also, suppose they do achieve an audience with PM Scott Morrison, fresh after the disaster for the Liberals in Western Australia. In that case, they might remind him that electorally, the managers of our fates during the current Covid 19 crisis year have generally been well rewarded. That's, of course, except for Donald Trump, whose egregious attitudes to the concerns of women stand out as being out of line with most women's expectations. Garry P Dalrymple. Earlwood
