Simon Richardson Byron Shire Council




Here comes the night

Tina Petroff ’s observations (Letters, December 9) regarding the happiness of Councillors to hold their meetings during the day and my selfishness in wanting to earn a living helping the next generation while serving my community that has, apparently, ‘effectively robbed other candidates who genuinely wanted to assist and serve their community’, requires a response.

It seems that Councillors who wish to hold meetings during the day, for no reason other than night meetings will keep them up until 11pm once a fortnight is acceptable. I do not find it acceptable. I believe that if we take the notions of democracy seriously, we therefore believe the right of a member of our community to stand for election and the right of a member of our community to witness and participate in council meetings is an essential part of democracy.

I ask all who read this to think about friends of theirs who are intelligent, passionate and visionary, and who have a job during the day and to ask yourself, is the Shire not the loser by denying them a chance to stand for public office? Is it either right or smart to create a situation whereby only the unemployed or semi/fully retired can be councillors? Is it not selfish for councillors to reject night meetings simply because they do not want them? Aren’t they representing you? If they cannot stay awake until 10.30, shouldn’t they get out of the way and let others do so? What do you think, Tina?

Not one councillor who voted against this motion gave any reason other than they will be kept up late or don’t want it. Perhaps readers may wish to contact Crs Heeson, Woods, Tucker, Morrisey and Staples and ask them if it is right that the 90% of the adult population who are employed in this Shire should be denied the opportunity to stand for Council. So yes, Tina, I am not happy, not because the motion lost, but because blatant selfishness of some Councillors superseded what is good for the Shire.

Yes, I am a teacher who would benefit from night meetings – so shoot me. I would benefit from night meetings because it would allow me to attend Arts Northern Rivers and Regional Library board meetings during the day, not necessarily – shock horror – work. My current employer has already timetabled me off on Thursdays next year, to allow me to attend meetings during the day if required, so this issue has far less to do with me and far more with what is fair and just.

A couple of points of clarification on which to finish. I did not register a rescission motion, though will be bringing a new motion to change meeting times, and will do so, as often as possible until it happens. Lastly, ruminations of my demise and the need for a by-election are greatly exaggerated. I am not going anywhere; in fact, I am just getting warmed up.

Simon Richardson
Federal

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