SHOULD THEY BE- OR NOT BE- THAT IS THE QUESTION

(The Wallace and Martin Quiz Show.)                                                                                                      
                                    

Once again let us assume that the Shire of York is a local government governing body democratically elected without ballot-box tampering and registers the will of the voting ratepayer, so is-

a) extremely popular with its ratepayers who are highly satisfied with its performance and the fair and reasonable rates they pay,

b) is totally compliant with all rules and regulations under the Local Government Act 1995,

c) is financially secure, is providing a strong impetuous for local socio-economic development within its community,

and

d) is transparent with its electors regarding each and all its dealings it undertakes on their behalf.

And that the Shire President and the Chief Executive Officer should be considered to be indispensable to the Shire of York’ future prosperity.

Mr. Paul Martin has already had his questionnaire put to him and, of course, refused to answer.

Mr. Martin could consider himself as not answerable to anybody- not the Minister for Local Government, not the Department of Local Government, not the President of the Shire of York and Council- nor the ratepayers.

However, there should be no impediment to Mr. David Wallace completing the following questionnaire in the public interest because he is supposedly answerable to, and accountable to- ratepayers. That is unless he has no viable, sensible and logical answers to the questions?

                                                   PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
                                                      Questions on Notice.

To the President of the Shire of York:-

1. Do you intend to seek re-election as Shire President or as a Councillor at the Local Government Election in October, 2021?

ANSWER-

2. What personal qualifications do you hold which are complementary to this position as it currently stands?

ANSWER-

3. What publicly acknowledged and personally quantifiable qualities do you possess to be President of the Shire of York at least until the Local Government Election in October, 2021?  (Please do not be shy)

ANSWER-

4)  As the senior Ratepayer and Local Government Area representative on the interview panel that selected Mr. Paul Martin as Chief Executive Officer- did you

a) personally, ask what qualifications he had to adequately fill the position on offer?

b) personally, ask for what reasons he resigned from office at the Shire of Port Hedland?

c) personally, ask for what reasons did he leave his  position at the Shire of Broome?

d) personally, advise him of the Salary Band he would be remunerated under based on population demographics related to the Local Government specified Salaries and Allowances Tribunal system?

e) personally, offer and/or agree to his remuneration package being above the award level?

f) personally, take any active part whatsoever in the negotiations?

g) could you please list the other representatives on this interview panel and who they represented?

h) in your opinion, currently, has your Chief Executive Officer met all the Key Performance Indicators you should require from his position to meet his obligations to the Shire of York Local Government Area, its ratepayers-Council and to you?

J) do you consider the Executive Staff employment opportunities offered to two personal acquaintances by the Chief Executive Officer has been based on merit including appropriate qualifications and meeting all other requirements- with you considering it was and is appropriate?

k) should any further legal and equitable actions be taken by third parties regarding any substantiated claims of dereliction of duty, unprofessional conduct, poor financial management, the disbursement of potentially false and misleading information or inappropriate and unethical behavior will you personally show your unqualified support for your CEO and his position if necessary?

i) in addition do you intend to support your Chief Executive Officer in fulfilling the term of his contract, extend the term, or offer him a new five (5) year contract before-or when- his contract expires?

ANSWER-

5) Since your election as Shire President have you personally overseen a major improvement and increased the socio-economic development of the Shire of York in-

a) population growth?- please specify and enumerate

b) business growth including your support for the White Gum Farm project?- please specify

c) new infrastructure development and maintenance?-please specify

d) social asset management, maintenance and development including but not limited to the Old Convent School, the York Cemetery, the Avon River, the York swimming pool, local footpaths, local roads and the Forrest Bar & Café?- please specify

e) tourism development including your support for the White Gum Farm project?- please specify

f) improved internal and community communications including vastly improved response times for Freedom of Information (FOI) requests from the local community?- please specify

g) improved financial auditing systems which prevent a single person, a consultant, contractor and employee receiving both a salary and an additional , substantial remuneration package or packages?- please specify

h) ensuring and improving the shires future financial stability including through the alleged $4.54 million annual road maintenance actual expenditure requirement that is approximately half the Shire of York’s annual income?-please specify

i) improved customer services, including those provided by the Shire of York Planning Department for business development including the White Gum Farm project?- please specify

j) improved Shire of York Records collection, storage and retrieval systems preventing excessive supposed loss of important documents- also improved redacting procedures?-please specify

k) improved the quality and legitimacy of local by-laws, Principles and guidelines including those applicable to the White Gum Farm project ?- please specify

l) improved access to  personal development programs for staff members?-please specify

m) increasing the number of Shire of York employees who have attained employment aligned tertiary qualifications since you took office as Shire of York President-please specify?

ANSWER-


David Taylor