Community News - providing readers with the very latest in local news, sport, entertainment and more.
Camera IconCommunity News - providing readers with the very latest in local news, sport, entertainment and more. Credit: Community News

Attend meetings

Janice TeoMelville Gazette

I AM disappointed but not surprised with Steve Grady's letter in last week's edition headlined "Minister told" and his reasoning for the low voter turnout.

Candidates get themselves elected and then discover that they cannot deliver for what they campaigned.

If they campaign to lower rates, they do not tell voters they must convince the council to cut spending by reducing essential services that are taken for granted, such as asset management, recreation facilities, parks, libraries and so forth.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

If they campaign for "openness and honesty", they do not say how or why; they just hope voters will believe their insinuations. No retractions are forthcoming when proved wrong.

I invite Steve to attend the public meetings held at council twice a month so that he can see first-hand that the agenda is full of important issues.

He would observe the "consistent performance" (albeit with occasional bickering) and quiet achievements that go unreported much of the time.

Most councillors work a day job as well as serve on council. They are not MPs who can devote time and expenses to door-knocking and regular newsletters.

Apart from the mayor whose responsibility it is, few councillors attend a "myriad of official functions", although they do have their favourite annual events.

Networking is an essential part of keeping in touch with issues and concerns and if they tried to "push their own barrow" it would go down like a lead balloon at a local level.

Compulsory voting is not the answer, being informed is.

PATRICIA PHELAN, Willagee,

Councillor, City of Melville.