COUNCIL ELECTIONS ARE UPON US
To the Editor,
Local Government elections are upon us this month. Changes brought in by the Victorian Government mean that the people of Greater Shepparton can no longer vote for nine councillors. Rather, they will be restricted to voting for the candidates standing in their area or “ward”.
I know many people are dismayed because they are losing the freedom to vote for candidates of their choosing, simply because of their geography. Moreover, the opportunity to vote at all can be lost when only one candidate stands in a ward. In that scenario, the sole candidate is automatically appointed to Council with no election which is unfortunate as no multiple candidates to consider.
First, I would like to thank the outgoing Council for their wisdom and efforts over the past four years. Their achievements include effectively navigating Covid, floods, the opening of the Shepparton Mall and the SAM building, as well as many day-to-day projects.
Second, I consider the re-election of Mayor Shane Sali (Balaclava Ward) and councillor Anthony Brophy (Kialla Ward) essential to retain key intellect, knowledge and experience for a successful transition to the next Council. Meanwhile, the election of Jaclyn McCarty (Pine Lodge Ward) would bring fresh perspective and skillset.
In his time as a councillor and Mayor, Shane Sali has shown exceptional leadership and dedication. Shane has the youthful energy and visionary thinking required to meet both the opportunities and challenges of the future.
He supports local businesses, and amongst the many contracts awarded to local businesses, the council’s recent 15-year waste contract was awarded to locally owned and operated Foott Waste.
If you live in the Balaclava Ward, consider that a vote for Shane Sali means strong and fair leadership plus a clear direction for the future of his ward and Greater Shepparton.
Next, former Deputy Mayor Anthony Brophy is fully committed to his role as councillor. Anthony has the benefit of years of working within government as a staff member for several politicians prior to standing for Council. Anthony understands the mechanics of government and, like Shane, knows how to work with, but not controlled by bureaucracy.
Anthony is approachable and has excellent connections to the Kialla community. I urge you to consider voting for him if you are in the Kialla Ward.
Jaclyn McCarty is a business owner who is standing for the Pine Lodge Ward. Jaclyn is from a well-respected local family and all her life has known service to the community. She is involved in school council, parents and friends, is a Rotarian and a board member of the Greater Shepparton Business Network. Jac is a person with the ability to make logical and sensible decisions and will be an excellent councillor. I urge you to consider a vote for her if you live in the Pine Lodge Ward.
There are very suitable candidates who have put up their hands to stand who would make excellent councillors. However, with the ward system not all those people can be elected which is a weakness in the voting this year.
I can only suggest that you read the information available regarding the candidates available through online and printed sources. Find out who stands in your ward and be informed when you vote.
But of course, it is up to you the voters to inform yourself and decide. So, contact the candidates in your ward to find out what they stand for and ask questions about the new ward system. I wish nothing but success for Greater Shepparton in the selection of a new council.
Sincerely,
John Anderson, Shepparton
CASH IS KING ALL OVER AGAIN
For goodness’s sake, we have been had, so to speak. Roll up, roll up to the greatest show in town where the banks and portable EFTPOS machine manufacturers have been spruiking cards as the public’s safest way of following exactly where our money is spent. Well, well, well, three holes in the ground, rarely are concepts quite so literal. We have been duped, lulled into a sense of security with one hand, while the other hand whisks away charges that should never even have been contemplated. Let me explain.
The money in our savings account is ours, earned by hard work, one might even ruminate on the concept that we should be paid for lending it to the bank. The bank then advertises how simple it is to utilise one’s cards to pay for any goods we choose to purchase. That is fine in principle until one realises that a surcharge has been put on your purchases because you handed over your card.
Yes, you are actually billed extra for using your own money, what the hell is happening there? Oh, wait a minute, if I had chosen to pay cash it would have cost me far less. Cash is King.
It is inconceivable to me that, now the community has been virtually convinced to “tap their card” rather than have a bundle of notes in their wallet, only to be charged for the privilege of spending one’s own money. It is not even a credit card, it’s a savings card as well that costs you more. Part with cash and there are no hidden costs.
I shall give you a for instance. Say I spent $60 on a meal and the card payment was an extra $1.17. That seems minor until you add up how many transactions you make for a year, as well as how high that charge can rise, and not forgetting, “Oh yeah, it’s my money in the first place so why am I charged for using my own money?” The charges can vary from less than 0.5% right up to 4%, which is outrageous.
Think about where this scenario could ultimately travel to because we are over the barrel of a gun here, that is unless you can fill your wallet with cash everywhere you go.
Paul Richardson, Shepparton
