The Editor,
As voting time approaches, I would like to remind aspiring Councillors that ratepayers are keen for results not just representation and rubber stamping of Council Officials’ recommendations.
Unashamedly I am a supporter of newly elected Councillors reviewing and implementing a rate evaluation strategy to address the extremely high rates we in Shepparton are paying. Comparisons with neighbouring and like Councils to Shepparton have recently been published in your paper. Our rates are still exorbitant despite this matter being brought to Council’s attention by local ratepayers some years ago- with Council taking only limited action resulting in no net positive effect on the issue.
One Councillor seeking re-election has adopted the slogan ‘The Rates Fixer’. If I recall rightly the same Councillor was elected on a platform of getting rid of parking meters in Greater Shepparton. We still have the parking meters as well as some very officious contracted inspectors. Some recent minor easing of parking arrangements seems to be due to concerted action by the Chamber of Commerce. I would hardly say that the Councillor’s policy has been delivered on.
I would urge voters to ensure they get value for their vote and press Councillors seeking re-election to demonstrate how they have delivered for voters on their stated platforms. Councillors seeking re-election on a platform of making our rates more equitable should demonstrate what they have done thus far in this regard.
Jim O’Connor
Shepparton
