Yes Trevor was a councillor for credit cards, strata title, convent sale, inaccurate minutes, etc etc cant wait to see how long his 2 year contract actually lasts. at least he will think twice about running people out of town, by the way Trevor it is an offence to relay private council information to previous councillors and ex employees just so you can't say you didn't know..... eyes and ears are out and they are all firmly focussed on your behaviour.
Hey! If this election was so damn important to us Shire of York...it was to me, then how come less than 30% of eligible electors voted. An analysis of the votes received indicates that the person who received the most votes obtained was chosen by just 1 in 5 of the eligible York voters; the second and third best were chosen by less than 1 in 6 of the eligible York voters; and the fourth and fifth best were chosen by 1 out of 10 of the eligible York voters.
If this Blog is the serious voice of reason in York, for open and accountable government, what happened here when the clear and obvious chance was presented???
Hey! I'm sure the voter turnout was over 30% which is round about the state average. I think the point you are making can be summed up with one word, 'apathy'. Are you attempting to lay the blame with people for not voting or is you argument more toward those who were elected to office? What "clear and obvious chance" are you referring to?
can we get down to some serious council business please come to Wednesdays council briefing and support the new Councillors to put a stop to the admin pushing developments through our town, we need to stop Avon Waste turning Ashworth road at the entrance to town and right next to the Olive oil factory and the golf course into a rubbish tip, its no transport depot. we need council to create an area that's away from the town and out of agricultural areas tourists areas and the front door of York for these obnoxious company's like SITA that want the people of York to roll over and agree for them to use York as a rubbish dump, come to the meeting and support the new council on this one, say NO to rubbish at our front yard, move it some where its not rubbishing our towns image
Hey! I am not blaming any person, individual or creature nor do I have an argument to make. I am just wondering whether anyone who has contributed to this Blog and who has the same deep and abiding interest in the matters of local concern to York ratepayers as I do can give me any insight as to why the WA Electoral Commission says that less than 30% of eligible electors voted on the weekend?
As I understand the democratic electoral process, if you are not happy with the conduct and efficiency of a democratically elected body of representatives - you exercise your democratic right to vote and you vote that body out and vote in a new one, when you are presented with the opportunity. We had that opportunity but less the 3 in 10 of us exercised the right.....why not more voters if we are concerned about the future welfare of the Shire. Sorry, but I just don't understand why only 756 out of 2567 elegible electors voted
For what its worth, I believe the high turnout in 2013 sent the message out that change was needed, The list of candidates this election echoed that change was taking place, the 'newbies' prove this. Dave Wallace is a fair bloke, he's not nasty neither is he egotistical, he wants this to work. For the first time in my 20 year history in York I sense the York is now in the hands of people who can actively work together and allow York to move forward. I fully appreciate that a considerable amount of damage has been inflicted on certain members of the public and that no line drawn in sand will ever resolve matters. The new Council has to ensure that it employs a CEO with exceptional social skills, , he or she will have their work cut out with the current senior administration staff, but it will happen I'm sure.
A good comment and quite right about the change. The two Hooper's was a catastrophic combination, each stroked each others egos. I went to the meeting on Wednesday evening, Wallace did a good job, Pat Hooper went early when he realized a sprog shire president did a better job after 5 minutes than he did after 5 years. Two Councillors spoke very well, two not so well and one when there was no need to
I was also at that meeting and I reckon the new Shire President did a very good job. Yeah, I saw Pat Hooper leave. He should have stayed longer, he would have seen how to chair a meeting properly! I am very impressed with two of the new Lady Councillors. They spoke clearly and had obviously studied the Agenda well. The others were rather quiet.
"The Shire of York commissioner James Best said that the Shire had done a great deal of work over the past six months to improve its administrative practices".
"The York community can be confident that governance at the Shire is being managed effectively,' Mr Best said".
So Best departs under a big black cloud and leaves an idiot like Simpson to run the show.
And what did we learn at tonight's agenda briefing meeting folks? George Johnson, Health Inspector, Martin Roddis, Building Inspector and PPR (Tim Larcombe) public relations, cost us ratepayers over $10,000.00 per week, thats over half a million a year. Gordon Tester is a Development Officer whatever the F that is. I suspect the new Council will thin that down a little and make Gordon do some work for a change.
Anonymous26 October 2015 at 18:14 - obviously you have not been following what has happened in the Administration. Staff leave then return, so they either love the place or they are considered un-employable elsewhere. For years staff were recruited by Hooper, given acting positions, then promoted on so called experience only, no need for tertiary qualifications at the York Administration. Being related or friends with certain people and you get a job! A letter was posted on this Blog where the DCEO T.C. admitted she was out of her depth. Why? Could it be a lack of tertiary qualifications? Time the Shire of York CEO put a Staff Accreditation Board in the foyer, listing Employees and their relevant Tertiary qualifications/Accreditation.
Congratulations and a big thank you for what you are doing. York has moved into the next phase of the healing process and we now have a couple of very strong Councillors to help us. The truth will come out and York will be a much better place for it.
So there I was having a look at the council financials to check up and see how much of my money they are wasting and I noticed a so so obvious preferred list for accommodation providers for the abundance of consultants we employ. They are Leanne Lee the Grandhouse, Janette Callaghan Spooky Hall and the Bliss's the Palace. No one has written to me asking me to quote, or do I have to go through the tourist bureau, or worse, pay someone off?
Have a look at where Best stayed while he was here as commissioner.......you've guessed it; The Palace Hotel and The Grandhouse. Nola Bliss and Leanne Lea are closely associated and only interested in profiting themselves, Avon Tourism is proof of that!
Seems York is still in the grip of people who are either greedy, want control or both!
I had hoped we would get more than two intelligent Councillors in at the last election. It was good to see those two got stuck into the questions at the last meeting!
Ho Hum I would have thought AB@amp;B would have immediately corrected Anonymous 25 October 2015 at 18:00 : After all, didn't Commissioner Best, in fact, stay at your buisness whilst in York on business......Did you "pay someone off" when he stayed with you?
Who the hell in the Administration has the right to make a decision to favour one York Accommodation provider over another? They did the same thing to York food providers for the lavish long lunches for Councillors, instead of sharing the business between all York food outlets equally.
Did money change hands to help make this particular decision easier?
Solution: stop employing consultants and make the Staff originally employed to do that work earn their money. If the Staff are not qualified or capable of doing the working, it is time they were dismissed.
The Ratepayers are being financially screwed by the Administration.
They can't get permanent staff, only consultants. No one wants to take on a permanent job in this town, who would with all of this going on. Consultants are the only option.
Anyway back on topic, sort of, Wallace did a bloody good on Monday. Chris Pullan QC tried to give it to Wallace but he held is ground. Takes balls the size of tennis balls to stand up to an ex supreme court judge like that, well done.
Christopher James Lonsdale Pullin was appointed to the Court on 10 September 2001. He is the 58th Justice to have been appointed since 1861. He was appointed a judge of the Court of Appeal which commenced on 1 February, 2005.
He was born in 1947 in England and migrated to Australia with his parents in 1948. He was educated at Kellerberrin Junior High School and Governor Stirling Senior High School. He graduated with a Bachelor of Laws Degree from the University of Western Australia in 1969 and was admitted to practice in 1970.
He practised as a barrister and solicitor in the firm of Northmore Hale Davy & Leake (now Minter Ellison) from 1970 to 1986, first as an employed solicitor and then as a partner from 1972 to 1986.
In 1987, he commenced practice as a barrister at Barristers' Chambers (now called Francis Burt Chambers), and in 1988 he was appointed Queen's Counsel.
He was President of the Western Australian Bar Association from 1992 to 1994, and President of the Australian Bar Association from 1997 to 1998. He was also a one-time member of the Council of the Law Society of Western Australia, and he was Chairman of the Legal Practitioners Complaints Committee between 1993 and 2001.
The Shire President did nothing wrong, it was just a shame Mr. Pullen was not aware he could apply to do a Presentation to Council!
Mr. Pullen has the right to lodge an appeal with the State Administration Tribunal and should seriously consider it. In fact, all those in Ashworth Road not happy with the Council decision should also consider lodging an appeal with SAT, bearing in mind there is a finite limitation on timeframe.
Its a pity the Shire President couldn't gag the re-elected Councillor, all the grandstanding is wearing a little thin. If its worth saying say it, otherwise stay schtum.
Individuals, organisations and Government agencies can apply to SAT to make decisions, settle disputes and review decisions. Before SAT can make a decision, it needs to be given the power to hear a matter; this is called an enabling law. SAT is empowered to make decisions for a range of enabling laws including more than 156 Acts, regulations, town planning schemes and by-laws. To apply to SAT you must first identify the relevant enabling law. How can I find the relevant enabling law? check letters you have received from an original decision maker for the relevant Act and section, regulation or town planning scheme; use the SAT Application Wizard; contact SAT (contact@sat.justice.wa.gov.au) seek legal advice
ive just read up on what happened at that first council meeting, the whole town has missed this one we now have a whole lot more trucks to dance with going up cut hill, more deaths and more near misses, how can the council not see that, this is just Avon Waste flexing their influence, we will all regret this approval for sure we should contact the Councillors and put down our concern with this one, why did it have to go on that side of town all the trucks now have to go through York and up the hill, we are slow learners in this town that's for sure, it was bad enough with all the wheat trucks and fertilizer, and stock and fuel trucks and now 60 Avon Waste trucks up and down ???????
Anonymous1 November 2015 at 13:07 - The whole Town did not miss this one. If you had bothered attending Council meetings or bothered to read the Agenda which are on line) like those who were concerned did, you would have known this was on the table.
Anonymous1 November 2015 at 13:07 - Why are you living in rural West Australia? If you don't like sharing the road with farming vehicles you should consider moving to the metropolitan area.
How do you think you get bread and meat to eat? I suppose you think it all comes from Supermarkets!
The Rubbish trucks are going to be up and down no matter where Avon Waste base themselves.
Can you tell us if you have your bin emptied each week?
How do you think the fuel gets to the local bowser, or do you drive to Perth to fuel up?
Personally I believe Avon Waste should have considered centralising in Northam.
Running the risk of being hung, hence anonymous, I agree with B.1 November 2015 at 19:18. As long as we have our bins emptied by trucks regardless of who owns them, they must park and operate from somewhere. The one thing Anonymous1 November 2015 at 13:07 was right about is the fact; quote, "we are slow learners in this town that's for sure", although I would replace slow with stationary! I suggest you bypass the local council and bitch to state government if you have a genuine grievance.
Well, four out of five ain't bad
ReplyDeleteTrevor will be in the right place to explain some of those anomalies now wont he.
DeleteI did hear he planned to resign on Monday if he got in. Time will tell if he is a man of his word.
All the women made council then...
ReplyDeleteIts good Randell got on, there are many anomalies which remain from the last time he was a Councillor.
ReplyDeleteGirl Power!!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations all that had a win in the elections.
ReplyDeleteAbout time the town got positive
Yes Trevor was a councillor for credit cards, strata title, convent sale, inaccurate minutes, etc etc cant wait to see how long his 2 year contract actually lasts. at least he will think twice about running people out of town, by the way Trevor it is an offence to relay private council information to previous councillors and ex employees just so you can't say you didn't know..... eyes and ears are out and they are all firmly focussed on your behaviour.
ReplyDeleteHey! If this election was so damn important to us Shire of York...it was to me, then how come less than 30% of eligible electors voted. An analysis of the votes received indicates that the person who received the most votes obtained was chosen by just 1 in 5 of the eligible York voters; the second and third best were chosen by less than 1 in 6 of the eligible York voters; and the fourth and fifth best were chosen by 1 out of 10 of the eligible York voters.
ReplyDeleteIf this Blog is the serious voice of reason in York, for open and accountable government, what happened here when the clear and obvious chance was presented???
Hey!
DeleteI'm sure the voter turnout was over 30% which is round about the state average. I think the point you are making can be summed up with one word, 'apathy'. Are you attempting to lay the blame with people for not voting or is you argument more toward those who were elected to office?
What "clear and obvious chance" are you referring to?
can we get down to some serious council business please come to Wednesdays council briefing and support the new Councillors to put a stop to the admin pushing developments through our town, we need to stop Avon Waste turning Ashworth road at the entrance to town and right next to the Olive oil factory and the golf course into a rubbish tip, its no transport depot. we need council to create an area that's away from the town and out of agricultural areas tourists areas and the front door of York for these obnoxious company's like SITA that want the people of York to roll over and agree for them to use York as a rubbish dump, come to the meeting and support the new council on this one, say NO to rubbish at our front yard, move it some where its not rubbishing our towns image
ReplyDeleteHey! I am not blaming any person, individual or creature nor do I have an argument to make. I am just wondering whether anyone who has contributed to this Blog and who has the same deep and abiding interest in the matters of local concern to York ratepayers as I do can give me any insight as to why the WA Electoral Commission says that less than 30% of eligible electors voted on the weekend?
ReplyDeleteAs I understand the democratic electoral process, if you are not happy with the conduct and efficiency of a democratically elected body of representatives - you exercise your democratic right to vote and you vote that body out and vote in a new one, when you are presented with the opportunity. We had that opportunity but less the 3 in 10 of us exercised the right.....why not more voters if we are concerned about the future welfare of the Shire. Sorry, but I just don't understand why only 756 out of 2567 elegible electors voted
For what its worth, I believe the high turnout in 2013 sent the message out that change was needed, The list of candidates this election echoed that change was taking place, the 'newbies' prove this. Dave Wallace is a fair bloke, he's not nasty neither is he egotistical, he wants this to work. For the first time in my 20 year history in York I sense the York is now in the hands of people who can actively work together and allow York to move forward. I fully appreciate that a considerable amount of damage has been inflicted on certain members of the public and that no line drawn in sand will ever resolve matters. The new Council has to ensure that it employs a CEO with exceptional social skills, , he or she will have their work cut out with the current senior administration staff, but it will happen I'm sure.
DeleteA good comment and quite right about the change. The two Hooper's was a catastrophic combination, each stroked each others egos.
DeleteI went to the meeting on Wednesday evening, Wallace did a good job, Pat Hooper went early when he realized a sprog shire president did a better job after 5 minutes than he did after 5 years.
Two Councillors spoke very well, two not so well and one when there was no need to
I was also at that meeting and I reckon the new Shire President did a very good job.
DeleteYeah, I saw Pat Hooper leave. He should have stayed longer, he would have seen how to chair a meeting properly!
I am very impressed with two of the new Lady Councillors. They spoke clearly and had obviously studied the Agenda well. The others were rather quiet.
hoo rites thee ajender 4 the meatins, thay ar ilitret.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of Best's parting statements:
ReplyDelete"The Shire of York commissioner James Best said that the Shire had done a great deal of work over the past six months to improve its administrative practices".
"The York community can be confident that governance at the Shire is being managed effectively,' Mr Best said".
So Best departs under a big black cloud and leaves an idiot like Simpson to run the show.
And what did we learn at tonight's agenda briefing meeting folks?
ReplyDeleteGeorge Johnson, Health Inspector, Martin Roddis, Building Inspector and PPR (Tim Larcombe) public relations, cost us ratepayers over $10,000.00 per week, thats over half a million a year.
Gordon Tester is a Development Officer whatever the F that is.
I suspect the new Council will thin that down a little and make Gordon do some work for a change.
The Administration quietly increased the number of Staff over the last decade and created ludicrous positions then contracted out most of the work.
ReplyDeleteIt is ridiculous, we are not running Rio Tinto. Why on earth do we need a Development officer and public relations people?
It will cost us but we have to reduce the number of Staff - we simply cannot afford so many that do so little.
Maybe they had to contract out the work because no one in their right mind want to come and work in this town. Has anyone considered that yet?
DeleteAnonymous26 October 2015 at 18:14 - obviously you have not been following what has happened in the Administration. Staff leave then return, so they either love the place or they are considered un-employable elsewhere.
DeleteFor years staff were recruited by Hooper, given acting positions, then promoted on so called experience only, no need for tertiary qualifications at the York Administration. Being related or friends with certain people and you get a job!
A letter was posted on this Blog where the DCEO T.C. admitted she was out of her depth. Why? Could it be a lack of tertiary qualifications?
Time the Shire of York CEO put a Staff Accreditation Board in the foyer, listing Employees and their relevant Tertiary qualifications/Accreditation.
Stats to date:
ReplyDelete130,470 page views
2605 published comments
150 posts
Congratulations and a big thank you for what you are doing.
ReplyDeleteYork has moved into the next phase of the healing process and we now have a couple of very strong Councillors to help us.
The truth will come out and York will be a much better place for it.
So there I was having a look at the council financials to check up and see how much of my money they are wasting and I noticed a so so obvious preferred list for accommodation providers for the abundance of consultants we employ.
ReplyDeleteThey are Leanne Lee the Grandhouse, Janette Callaghan Spooky Hall and the Bliss's the Palace. No one has written to me asking me to quote, or do I have to go through the tourist bureau, or worse, pay someone off?
Have a look at where Best stayed while he was here as commissioner.......you've guessed it; The Palace Hotel and The Grandhouse.
DeleteNola Bliss and Leanne Lea are closely associated and only interested in profiting themselves, Avon Tourism is proof of that!
Seems York is still in the grip of people who are either greedy, want control or both!
DeleteI had hoped we would get more than two intelligent Councillors in at the last election. It was good to see those two got stuck into the questions at the last meeting!
Go back further through the financials. You will find he stayed at more than those two places.
DeleteThe only one I can think of is Hillside, do you know of others?
DeleteHo Hum
DeleteI would have thought AB@amp;B would have immediately corrected Anonymous 25 October 2015 at 18:00 : After all, didn't Commissioner Best, in fact, stay at your buisness whilst in York on business......Did you "pay someone off" when he stayed with you?
Nosh and Nod
DeleteWho owns the Nosh and Nod?
DeleteKerry Bramley
DeleteAnonymous26 October 2015 at 19:51...You have me mixed up with someone else, can you please elaborate?
DeleteA B@amp;B, So, are you confirming that Commission Best did NOT patronize YOUR business whilst he was in town on Shire Business?......
DeleteYes, I unequivocally confirm that Commissioner James Best did NOT patronize my business?
DeleteWho the hell in the Administration has the right to make a decision to favour one York Accommodation provider over another? They did the same thing to York food providers for the lavish long lunches for Councillors, instead of sharing the business between all York food outlets equally.
ReplyDeleteDid money change hands to help make this particular decision easier?
Solution: stop employing consultants and make the Staff originally employed to do that work earn their money. If the Staff are not qualified or capable of doing the working, it is time they were dismissed.
The Ratepayers are being financially screwed by the Administration.
They can't get permanent staff, only consultants. No one wants to take on a permanent job in this town, who would with all of this going on. Consultants are the only option.
ReplyDeleteConsultants should not be an option when Ratepayers are already paying for Staff employed to do the work.
DeleteThe Gravy Train has run out of steam!
Anyway back on topic, sort of, Wallace did a bloody good on Monday. Chris Pullan QC tried to give it to Wallace but he held is ground. Takes balls the size of tennis balls to stand up to an ex supreme court judge like that, well done.
ReplyDeleteWho's Chris Pullan?
ReplyDeleteChristopher James Lonsdale Pullin was appointed to the Court on 10 September 2001. He is the 58th Justice to have been appointed since 1861. He was appointed a judge of the Court of Appeal which commenced on 1 February, 2005.
DeleteHe was born in 1947 in England and migrated to Australia with his parents in 1948. He was educated at Kellerberrin Junior High School and Governor Stirling Senior High School. He graduated with a Bachelor of Laws Degree from the University of Western Australia in 1969 and was admitted to practice in 1970.
He practised as a barrister and solicitor in the firm of Northmore Hale Davy & Leake (now Minter Ellison) from 1970 to 1986, first as an employed solicitor and then as a partner from 1972 to 1986.
In 1987, he commenced practice as a barrister at Barristers' Chambers (now called Francis Burt Chambers), and in 1988 he was appointed Queen's Counsel.
He was President of the Western Australian Bar Association from 1992 to 1994, and President of the Australian Bar Association from 1997 to 1998. He was also a one-time member of the Council of the Law Society of Western Australia, and he was Chairman of the Legal Practitioners Complaints Committee between 1993 and 2001.
looks to me like David should have been listening not closing him down, pretty impressive resume - heavy hitter
ReplyDeleteThe Shire President did nothing wrong, it was just a shame Mr. Pullen was not aware he could apply to do a Presentation to Council!
ReplyDeleteMr. Pullen has the right to lodge an appeal with the State Administration Tribunal and should seriously consider it. In fact, all those in Ashworth Road not happy with the Council decision should also consider lodging an appeal with SAT, bearing in mind there is a finite limitation on timeframe.
Its a pity the Shire President couldn't gag the re-elected Councillor, all the grandstanding is wearing a little thin. If its worth saying say it, otherwise stay schtum.
DeleteWould Mr Pullin or any other affected person be allowed to lodge an appeal with State Administrative Tribunal?
DeleteTouché, Anonymous 31 October 2015 at 00:07
Delete"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others".
Matthew 6:5
Anonymous31 October 2015 at 00:07 - I agree.
ReplyDeleteLet's hope the re-elected Councillor takes the 'gentle' hint.
Anonymous31 October 2015 at 01:06 - there's plenty of hypocrites in York, off to Church on Sunday, then spend the next the week being nasty and cruel.
Anonymous31 October 2015 at 00:46 - yes. People in York have previously used the SAT to overturn Shire decisions.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.sat.justice.wa.gov.au/H/how_do_i_apply.aspx?uid=2723-5095-0548-4060
Individuals, organisations and Government agencies can apply to SAT to make decisions, settle disputes and review decisions.
Before SAT can make a decision, it needs to be given the power to hear a matter; this is called an enabling law. SAT is empowered to make decisions for a range of enabling laws including more than 156 Acts, regulations, town planning schemes and by-laws. To apply to SAT you must first identify the relevant enabling law.
How can I find the relevant enabling law?
check letters you have received from an original decision maker for the relevant Act and section, regulation or town planning scheme;
use the SAT Application Wizard;
contact SAT (contact@sat.justice.wa.gov.au)
seek legal advice
ive just read up on what happened at that first council meeting, the whole town has missed this one we now have a whole lot more trucks to dance with going up cut hill, more deaths and more near misses, how can the council not see that, this is just Avon Waste flexing their influence, we will all regret this approval for sure we should contact the Councillors and put down our concern with this one, why did it have to go on that side of town all the trucks now have to go through York and up the hill, we are slow learners in this town that's for sure, it was bad enough with all the wheat trucks and fertilizer, and stock and fuel trucks and now 60 Avon Waste trucks up and down ???????
ReplyDeleteWhy don't you stop hiding behind anonymity and do something about it then?
DeleteAnonymous1 November 2015 at 13:07 - The whole Town did not miss this one.
DeleteIf you had bothered attending Council meetings or bothered to read the Agenda which are on line) like those who were concerned did, you would have known this was on the table.
Anonymous1 November 2015 at 13:07 - Why are you living in rural West Australia?
DeleteIf you don't like sharing the road with farming vehicles you should consider moving to the metropolitan area.
How do you think you get bread and meat to eat? I suppose you think it all comes from Supermarkets!
The Rubbish trucks are going to be up and down no matter where Avon Waste base themselves.
Can you tell us if you have your bin emptied each week?
How do you think the fuel gets to the local bowser, or do you drive to Perth to fuel up?
Personally I believe Avon Waste should have considered centralising in Northam.
Running the risk of being hung, hence anonymous, I agree with B.1 November 2015 at 19:18. As long as we have our bins emptied by trucks regardless of who owns them, they must park and operate from somewhere.
DeleteThe one thing Anonymous1 November 2015 at 13:07 was right about is the fact; quote, "we are slow learners in this town that's for sure", although I would replace slow with stationary!
I suggest you bypass the local council and bitch to state government if you have a genuine grievance.