Barlow speaks mind in council term wrap up

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Barlow speaks mind in council term wrap up

CR GARETH Barlow took full advantage of the opportunity to speak his mind as Bass Coast Shire councillors ended their last open meeting.

Two are retiring, two are standing against each other at the October 27 election and there are several candidates in every ward, including a team led by Alan Brown.

Few decisions could be made because the council is in caretaker mode and mayor Cr Veronica Dowman allowed each councillor time to reflect on their years of service.

Rising to his feet with the help of a single crutch (he’s hurt his leg), Cr Barlow let fly at the media.

He doesn’t mind The Star but he’s not happy with other local newspapers, particularly over their coverage of an election leaflet urging constituents to vote against Alan Brown and his team.

He said the articles triggered his ire because they assumed “on the basis of a hunch” the Bass Coast Ratepayers’s Group “is some kind of union front” and the group’s members “are pretty upset about that”.

“In any democracy a functional media is essential. If information is a lie, the community is in the dark. It’s disgraceful.”

His views are listed in full on his website.

Cr Barlow began in a positive way, saying in his seven years he’d met many wonderful people, including his fellow councillors with their passion for various issues. Cr Barlow commended mayor Cr Veronica Dowman for her companionship, friendship and support.

Cr Peter Paul said his term had been sweet and bittersweet.

To retiring councillors Jane Daly and Veronica Dowman, he said, “thank you for your contribution, it has been great to see gender balance on council”, adding to his ward neighbour Cr Daly, “thank you for our discussions and relationship. I treasure it”.

Cr Daly thanked Cr Paul for being a great mentor.

“I’m very proud to be here today and I’m very pleased to be at the end of my four years. It’s been a great honour for me to represent McHaffie Ward and Bass Coast Shire – I’m amazed to think I’m here saying this.”

Cr Dowman said it has been a major privilege working with the community.

“I feel very honoured to work across the shire it has been a remarkable experience.”

She thanked her fellow councillors, adding, “There are times I could have strangled you!

“We have had robust debate and it is so important to have diverse views. It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with each and every one of you.”

The mayor thanked directors and officers for their professionalism and commitment, the Coronet Bay community and her family.

Cr John Duscher thanked the entire Bass Coast community “for the opportunity of representing your views and concerns”.

“To me it has always been an honour to be chosen to represent the people. I take it very seriously and find it very humbling.

“There are always challenges at the (council) table but we’ve remained focused on issues. This council has been more proactive than reactive.”

He acknowledged his family “for their patience” and thanked council staff “for the way you’ve saved costs and found efficiencies”.

Cr Ross Smith said he had had 27 years in public life, 10 of those in local government.

“The last four in (this) council have been the best.”

He thanked his wife Sarah and family, and, looking towards the mayor added, “and you in particular as outgoing mayor”, complimenting her as “very assiduous” in correcting “facts” that are flying around during the election campaign.

Cr Smith said Allan Bawden had been an extremely good adviser, as had the directors.

Cr Phil Wright said he had enjoyed debates and liked to think he was provocative. “The more discussion you have, the better the result you get.”

He said he always sensed a restriction when working with council officers and he has ideas on how to “free that up”.

He said council had performed poorly on Phillip Island’s roads but had done a great job on town boundaries. Cr Wright said community groups in the shire were “excellent”.

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Posted by on Oct 23 2012. Filed under Featured, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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