“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results” Albert Einstein
The time has come for change on our Council. Change that is far reaching and definitive. Change that will usher in a new era of Local Government in the Blue Mountains.
Some of our Councillors have been on Council for too long. They would argue that they bring experience to the role, but we know that experience does not always equal good results.
And we know that renewal, fresh ideas and new energy are needed in order for our community to progress.
Maintaining the status quo will not help Blue Mountains Residents.
Mountains residents will lose out by electing:
- Councillors who won’t fight to defend our unique Mountains lifestyle
- Councillors who fail to balance the protection of our environment with development needs
- Councillors who won’t petition State and Federal Governments to improve services for Mountains residents and
- Councillors who are out of touch with the communities that they were elected to represent.
Where’s the Vision?
There are only two Council ballots each year that are secret ballots. The election of the Mayor and the election of the Deputy Mayor. Why is this vote a secret ballot?
And surely those standing for the position of Mayor and Deputy Mayor would want to share their vision and plans for the Blue Mountains? A motion asking those who seek to be the Mayor and Deputy Mayor to share their vision for the Blue Mountains was voted down by the major parties and one other in 2007. Why? No vision perhaps?
Major Party Politics Dominate our Council
Council is the first layer of Government and it is for this reason that the major political parties seek to control Councils. Councils are also a good training ground for party rising stars - train them and then move them onto State Government.
Party domination of our Council does not benefit our local community.
- We need independent, community focused Councillors who come to Council with one agenda – to listen to and fairly represent the local community that has elected them.
- We need independent, community focused Councillors who will equally apply Council laws and guidelines to everyone within our community.
- We need independent, community focused Councillors who are free from the major party political donation system.
Why Now?
The term for a Councillor is 4 years. This is longer than the term given to the Federal Government!
If we don’t each vote for change at the 2008 Council elections, we will wake up to a vastly different Blue Mountains in 2012.
The rate of change in a modern economy is great. Do we have time to wait and see what will happen? Are the signs of rapid, seemingly unplanned change not already apparent in the Mountains? Is the pattern of disregard for community views and poor community consultation not already firmly entrenched?
Our Council elections are on Saturday, September 13th 2008.
On September 13th, each of us has the opportunity to vote for change.
On September 13th, Upper Mountains residents have the opportunity to vote for vision, leadership and an independent, community focused candidate.
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