There are a couple of things to be said by way of introduction to the form. Firstly, only one of Launceston City Council's sitting members turned up to offer their vision and to listen to others in attendance. That was Ald. Hugh McKenzie. Secondly, Owen Tilbury did a fine job in keeping the forum moving and giving candidates their share of the time available. Thirdly, there was a refreshing interchange between the candidates and ratepayers et al. Fourthly, the press did not bother to turn up, so it seems they have no commitment to their ratepayer readers or do not think such events are newsworthy.
Lionel Morrell, TRA president, has been requested by many members and others to write an Open Letter [Click Here To Read It] from the forum and other representations to TRA. Please read his balanced and informative assessment of what's in play as you may find it helpful.
While the forum didn't formally resolve anything at the time it was clear from what participants were saying, that Launceston needs more opportunities for Q&As with their Aldermen. Possibly people are getting used to Tony Jone's Q&A on the ABC??
10 comments:
Dear Lionel,
By way of confirmation to earlier email sent on my behalf by Kristy Fairbairn, I thank you for the invitation to attend this evening's forum of which I am unable to attend due to previous commitments. I respectfully advise also that I will not be responding to the questions put to me late last week.
I would however like to invite yourself, and your members should they wish to know more about me, to visit my Facebook page or web page mandie@mandieaustin.com.au.
Kindest regards, Mandie Austin
Hi Lionel,
As indicated in our previous conversation I will need to be an apology this evening.
Regards
Andrea Dawkins
Hi Lionel,
Regrettably I am unable to attend the forum tonight as I have other campaign commitments. I wish you well with the forum and will always be happy to meet with any ratepayer to discuss their views and issues if they wish to.
Regards Simon Wood
Gyms are going out of business all over the city, undeniably all have lost customers to the council-run gym. The 3 incumbents are being very economical with the truth. Mr Sands should provide the report from the independent regulator that backs his statement, his claim is not credible. Mr McKenzie, please new gyms even opening up, now, where? The only credible candidate is Mr Alexander.
I have heard that this was a good forum. the ratepayers need to get with action and put up something on youtube for things like this. Or the council should.
I saw the page 13 advert, and had a squizz at the blog. Some interesting issues , thoughts and comments. However, considering the process of council elections / voting, I suspect that very few Launceston ratepayers will have the inclination, motivation or interest to even read the advert. Consequently, only a small number, who are probably of an enquiring mind, willing to consider alternative options and arguments, will, I suspect, give considered thought to the candidates policies etc. The rest, the majority no doubt, the " great unwashed" perhaps, those who vote out of obligation or duty, will not consider the broader issues you outlined in your article.
So , are there other methods to more effectively promote information, to broadcast it ? Other forms of social media might play a more effective part. ------ I recall the Obama campaign, where there was a massive use of twitter and Facebook . Methods which reached thousands, easily , quickly , succinctly . True , he had a huge media team . However, one of the strengths of twitter is the ability to "retweet", and there is an almost logarithmic scale of information dispersal....
Now, I don't use twitter., so I am not able to offer any specific guidance. My thoughts above are based on my observations of, and discussions with others. Do you think twitter might be another method, which is free, as opposed to newspaper adverts, of "getting the message out"....
I regret that I must be record my apologies, due to the lateness of the notice provided. I found this to be a great forum a few years back and I wish your organisation all the best. Kind regards
Danny
I would like to decline the invitation to attend the Tasmanian Ratepayers Associations "Candidates Forum". I'm not interested in the concerns of Launceston rate payers. It's the $32,427 per year allowance for only having to work one day a month, that I am interested in. If I am elected. Tax payers won't have to give me a Newstart Allowance. Robert Dombrynsky runs the city. Members of council could sit on 20 different committtes and still achieve nothing. We need to do away with local government all together. If I am elected I can put a motion forward that the council is reduced to only 6 Aldermen. Also I will not go on a so called "study trip". With travel, accommodation and food. All provided for by the rate payer.
Kindest Regards Leon Cooper Leonards Road
I am aware of the life that might be available to me, however I was not notified at my birth, or earlier, of the requirements of life therefore I am unable to attend my life due to previous commitments. I will therefore remain in a state of total ignorance for as long as I can get away with it
Why not put on courses at the museum or similar (ratepayer owned facility) to help people understand what they can expect their aldermen to do for them. Could be in interesting format with the likes of Michael Stokes on legal; Peter Gutwein on government; the Mayor on what the Council will do for the ratepayers. Also good as a discussion forum
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