(Coming to a PC, laptop, IPad or
Smartphone near you.)
To fill in a scorecard like this, when the community has insufficient
information to make reasoned judgements and informed comment, is up to the
individual in whether they believe they can give an accurate response to the
questions.
For the Shire of York to undertake such a survey is because it has no idea of how its 2016-2017 performance is viewed by a majority of the community with particular reference to the unknown achievements of Paul Martin, Suzie Haslehurst and Paul Crewe.
To complete a survey when it appears there will be no public recognition and release of the result should make the respondent feel there is little point to engage in the process because there is no stipulation that the information will be used to provide a positive result for York.
As the Shire does not communicate its intentions to the community, whatever clear vision and direction it has is clouded by a lack of factual information and any known actions being taken.
Whatever direction it has taken over the past 12 months is a mystery to everyone but itself and applicable community consultation regarding these directions is mainly a figment of the Shire’s imagination.
So its explanation for the reasons for these decisions comes down to what decisions is it talking about?
Do the Elected Members have a good understanding of community needs?
It is impossible to say because it now appears that councillors are not being advised by, or allowed to fully participate in, decision making processes- by the Shire President.
Does the Shire staff have a good understanding of the needs of the community?
As there is currently no measure to gauge its response to community needs, the answer is that it is unknown.
Does the Shire listen to and respect the resident’s views?
Based on its response to legitimate questions regarding the finances of the YRCC it neither listens nor shows respect.
However its response has placed the competence of an Executive officer, Suzie Haslehurst, under question.
Has the Shire shown community leadership qualities, undertaken advocacy and lobbying on behalf of the community and has kept the community informed on local issues?
What is known regarding advocacy is that it has handed over a serious legal matter to its lawyers then stuck its fingers in its ears. Its insurance policy could be null and void and this is something we can all look forward to.
Lobbying has been restricted to being nice to the current Member for Central Wheatbelt, Mia Davies that may well accomplish nothing.
Keeping the community informed on local issues can best be illustrated by a newspaper advertisement regarding the new Forrest Bar &Café. This kind of secretive behaviour will not be tolerated or allowed to occur again without dire consequences that could include external authority investigations being launched into any perceived breaches of its community responsibilities and obligations.
Economic development, attracting investment and business and its retention is best described as spatial emptiness with businesses closing not opening and a population in decline. It shows how much the Shire is out of touch with reality to the point of being economically inept and commercially ridiculous.
Local community access to improved delivery of goods and services will rely on Aldi opening in Northam.
Festivals, events and cultural activities, for the Month of February 2017, is extremely reliant on the
continuous opening of The Salvation Army Op Shop that suggests the community of York requires access to low cost, second-hand goods because of the state of the local economy.
Road maintenance will be a continuing multi-million dollar drain on the Shire’s financial resources for years to come.
Conservation and environmental management has seen the Shire reluctantly enforce regulations to remove a pile of old tyres from the business district. It was acknowledge recently that a spraying regime for the control of mosquitos and other pests does not exist.
Noise pollution Statutes is something that the Shire is proud to acknowledge that it fully enforces, assisted by its own guidelines, requiring the closure of the only nationally recognized and lauded tourist business in York, Laurelville.
For the Shire of York to undertake such a survey is because it has no idea of how its 2016-2017 performance is viewed by a majority of the community with particular reference to the unknown achievements of Paul Martin, Suzie Haslehurst and Paul Crewe.
To complete a survey when it appears there will be no public recognition and release of the result should make the respondent feel there is little point to engage in the process because there is no stipulation that the information will be used to provide a positive result for York.
As the Shire does not communicate its intentions to the community, whatever clear vision and direction it has is clouded by a lack of factual information and any known actions being taken.
Whatever direction it has taken over the past 12 months is a mystery to everyone but itself and applicable community consultation regarding these directions is mainly a figment of the Shire’s imagination.
So its explanation for the reasons for these decisions comes down to what decisions is it talking about?
Do the Elected Members have a good understanding of community needs?
It is impossible to say because it now appears that councillors are not being advised by, or allowed to fully participate in, decision making processes- by the Shire President.
Does the Shire staff have a good understanding of the needs of the community?
As there is currently no measure to gauge its response to community needs, the answer is that it is unknown.
Does the Shire listen to and respect the resident’s views?
Based on its response to legitimate questions regarding the finances of the YRCC it neither listens nor shows respect.
However its response has placed the competence of an Executive officer, Suzie Haslehurst, under question.
Has the Shire shown community leadership qualities, undertaken advocacy and lobbying on behalf of the community and has kept the community informed on local issues?
What is known regarding advocacy is that it has handed over a serious legal matter to its lawyers then stuck its fingers in its ears. Its insurance policy could be null and void and this is something we can all look forward to.
Lobbying has been restricted to being nice to the current Member for Central Wheatbelt, Mia Davies that may well accomplish nothing.
Keeping the community informed on local issues can best be illustrated by a newspaper advertisement regarding the new Forrest Bar &Café. This kind of secretive behaviour will not be tolerated or allowed to occur again without dire consequences that could include external authority investigations being launched into any perceived breaches of its community responsibilities and obligations.
Economic development, attracting investment and business and its retention is best described as spatial emptiness with businesses closing not opening and a population in decline. It shows how much the Shire is out of touch with reality to the point of being economically inept and commercially ridiculous.
Local community access to improved delivery of goods and services will rely on Aldi opening in Northam.
Festivals, events and cultural activities, for the Month of February 2017, is extremely reliant on the
continuous opening of The Salvation Army Op Shop that suggests the community of York requires access to low cost, second-hand goods because of the state of the local economy.
Road maintenance will be a continuing multi-million dollar drain on the Shire’s financial resources for years to come.
Conservation and environmental management has seen the Shire reluctantly enforce regulations to remove a pile of old tyres from the business district. It was acknowledge recently that a spraying regime for the control of mosquitos and other pests does not exist.
Noise pollution Statutes is something that the Shire is proud to acknowledge that it fully enforces, assisted by its own guidelines, requiring the closure of the only nationally recognized and lauded tourist business in York, Laurelville.
David Taylor.
A copy of the survey is available to complete online by using the following link:
https://qau1.au1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_9oZHsktDfxK9NVX.
The last time I spoke with Councillor Walters shortly before Christmas, she was ropeable that as a Councilor she is not being kept in the loop. The Shire President meets with the CEO once a week, presumably this is to appraise each other on whats going on, or maybe blow smoke up each others arse, not literally of course, more the mutual appreciation hero worship bit.
ReplyDeleteExactly how does the average Joe Blow know anything about road immanence apart from dodging the plentiful potholes? Only a couple of days ago the Shire closed four roads due to water damage which in turn was due to lack of adequate maintenance, so that question easy to answer.
Hang on M.P I received an email from the Shire to advise some roads were closed about 18hrs after they flooded. That's pretty fast for them!
DeleteNortham have a FB page they are updating every few hrs.
So no they have no "Understanding of what the community needs," and they do not fair well with "Keeping the community informed on local issues."
He's an interesting fact which shows just how far York has come on in two decades. On 18 February 2000, the Imperial Hotel changed hands for $930,000.00 walk in, walk out, lock stock and empty barrel.
ReplyDeleteMove forward 17 years to 2017 and you can buy the Imperial Hotel for less than the 2000 purchase price. Another interesting fact; when the Imperial sold in 2000, it was making an annual loss of $250,000.00. It's all in the court transcripts: LAWLESS -v- MACKENDRICK [No 4] [2013] WASC 272, if anyone's interested.
Had you spent $930,000.00 on real estate in Perth 17 years ago, you'd expect to triple your money at the very worst !
What the likes of Ms Haslehurst and Mr Martin fail to understand (because as bureaucrats, their nests are well and truly feathered) is how do they expect anyone to invest in York knowing there will be no capital growth on their asset and it would be highly likely any business would trade at a loss, if history is anything to go by.
Since Paul Martin was anointed as CEO, Lauraville Manor has closed, Yorkies Carriage Diner closed, YRCC is still fully operational losing money hand over fist, the Terrace cafe is closing at the end of February, building approvals are down, admin costs are increasing, rates are increasing, services are reducing, but we do have new bins so the tourists flocking to York have somewhere to dispose of their empty Hungry Jacks containers.
So all in all, it's been a thoroughly productive year for the paper pushers, not so much for or for York though.
Wallace is using the same interpretation of the SP responsibilities the same way Boyle and Hooper did - Ray Hooper's version.
ReplyDeleteCouncillors should collectively front Wallace and tell him to stop emulating the T. Boyle and P. Hooper style of poor leadership. Councillors should insist on taking turns to attend the weekly meetings with the SP/CEO to make sure their collective decisions are accurately past on.
Want an alternative to MIA in the March State election?
ReplyDeleteOne Nation representatives will be at Settlers Monday evening 6th February 6 pm.
Ex Senior Shire Staff and councillors relentlessly targeted Saint's Diner.
ReplyDeleteTony Boyle was taken before the Standards Panel for his disgusting behaviour towards Mr. Saint, resulting in him being publicly censured.
It's time Shire President Wallace acknowledged Saints had no option but to close their very successful business because of the appalling treatment they were subjected to by Shire Senior Staff and Councillors.
Until Saints issue is publicly rectified by the Shire President and councillors, York's reputation will remain tarnished and the atmosphere for anyone in business will continue to be toxic.
So far as environmental responsibility goes very little is taken by the she shire. Allthough on one topic,'spraying for mosquitoes' is a dangerous and nasty business,(environmentally).Restoration and advancement of natural drainage channells would be both beneficial in the reduction of mosquito numbers and other potential threats such as 'amoebic meningitis' (which has caused both sickness and fatalities in York) Such drainage works need not be as expensive as one may think. Under the direction of 'sound' albeit humble management, this kind of work could and should be progressively absorbed into the general works program.
ReplyDeleteIs there any humble management? Seems those making the decisions are unwilling to take advice from those outside the 'firm'.
ReplyDeleteNormal thinking people know a living lawn on the Tennis courts watered with the Shire's recycled water would be the most sensible, cost effective and user friendly way to go. It would be cool and a great attraction for competitions. Takes no effort to mow lawn these days with all the state of the art ride on mowers.
There's an experienced highly qualified Civil Engineer in York. He knows more about roads than anyone at the Shire of York. Ray Hooper refused to listen to him - hence the mess we have with the roads.
We have had years of inept unqualified people running this Town. I recall one resident subjected to the wroth of Ray Hooper for requesting a list of qualifications held by his senior staff.
Those making decisions that won't even seek and or take on free advice from those within their own organization and others in the know ,are truly working only their own ego's, and therefore surely may be the masters of their own peril.
DeleteMax, 3 February at 18:39. An Asset, an experienced highly qualified Civil Engineer resides in York who contributes to the town and community.
DeleteAnonymous4 February 2017 at 16:50 I thought that is what I said in paragraph three.
DeleteYes, I agree HE is an asset - trouble is the Shire of York Administration don't appreciate him.
There was no room on the Shire survey to put this information, so here's a bit of feed back for Farmer Wallace.
ReplyDeleteIf he wants York back for just farmers - he is welcome to it.
York is not a good place to live unless you belong to a farming family, they get the jobs and they are welcomed into clubs.
The only thing wanted from the outsiders is our money in the form of high rates.
I witnessed a honest, hardworking couple come to York with a dream. They invested their money into a successful and popular business attracting hundreds of visitors to York every weekend only to be targeted by councillors and senior staff until they closed their doors.
Those involved in the targeting of this couple have been named and shamed many times on the blogs and rightly so. Not one councillor was big enough to congratulated that couple for the work they put in or the increase in revenue and visitors that came to York
The message this disgusting episode in Yorks history is - you cannot come to York and succeed.
You cannot come to York and be part of the community either.
Farmers were happy to flog off their farm land to unsuspecting people for housing sub divisions . Now we are here, we realise all that was wanted was our money. Our opinions don't count and they are not wanted, clubs and organisations are filled with farming families who don't want outsiders on their committees.
God help anyone who tries to nominate for the Presidents job at the Ag Society.
The anger in this Town is overwhelming. If you are not accepted the only way to stay sane here, until you sell your home and escape is to keep to yourself, don't join any organisation and don't volunteer.
There are great clubs and organisations in Northam looking for volunteers all the time. Check out www.volunteeringwa.org.au. Don't get disheartenened just broaden your horizon a little. Give us a call at the Wheatbelt Volunteer Hub if you like. 96212143.
DeleteSpoken from someone who knows, if I was going to volunteer for anything again, I wouldn't in York, you get treated like a dog, in fact, dogs are better treated.
DeleteWhy do some people make things so difficult for those willing to give back to their community?
ReplyDeleteThe last time I volunteered in York it was a very stressful and an extremely unpleasant experience, all because of one person with a huge ego and controlling personality.
I am on a limited income and cannot travel to Northam.
There are a few positions listed in York and also a couple which can be done from home. Get in touch and we'll find something suitable where you feel valuable and supported.
Delete