Time of reckoning
Despite the results of the SRV surveys conducted, showing that 72 per cent of those residents which responded supported no rate rise, the Mayor and his council cohorts decided to go ahead with their submission to IPART for a SRV of 7.5 per cent over five years.
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This was despite a large number of rate payers making it clear to council that such an increase would be beyond their financial means.
To ignore the community, especially those struggling financially, shows that the Mayor and many of his councillors are out-of- touch with the people they supposedly represent. Well now is the time of reckoning for Mayor Ryan Palmer and those councillors who voted for the SRV submission.
IPART thankfully listened to the 651 objections from rate payers and rejected this 'cash grab' by a council who have clearly forgotten what they were elected to do.
Mayor Palmer's position is now, in my opinion, untenable and he should resign.
Those councillors who supported him must also look carefully at their positions and follow him out the door, unless they can learn from this experience and ensure that in future, they listen to the people who elected them.
Martin Stewart, Nelson Bay
Also read: Letters to the Editor: May 30
Get back to values
If you visit Port Stephens Council's website, under "Values" you will read these words:
'Respect....each individual is valued and heard'; 'Integrity....inspiring trust by matching behaviours to words and taking responsibility for our actions'; 'Safety....to ensure the wellbeing of staff, their families and the community'.
They are good intentions, but is that all they are?
Along with many other Anna Bay residents we have petitioned the council over an extended period for an improved walkway along Gan Gan Road, between Nelson Bay Road and Anna Bay shops.
Our daughter drives this stretch of road in her mobility scooter twice a week to go to work, along a single lane road where traffic speeds past her at 80 km/h.
There is no footpath and the narrow road shoulder is overgrown with grass and weeds and road entrances are riddled with potholes. Yet Port Stephens Council seemingly won't do anything to maintain or improve this stretch of road.
I wonder if Port Stephens Council cares about the safety of our most vulnerable residents?
What about having the courage to stand by your values?
Judy Matheson, Anna Bay
Also read: Letters to the Editor, May 23
More than one Bay eyesore
Your headline, Ugly and Underutilised (Examiner, May 30) could be just as well applied to another eyesore at Nelson Bay.
I refer to the elephant in the room - the yellow unused crane sitting there spoiling the landscape and completely unused.
How much longer do we have to have this unwanted reminder of the lack of progress in the heart of Nelson Bay?
At the very least it should be dismantled if not removed.
Peter Davey, Nelson Bay
Also read: Letters to the Editor, May 16
Beauty brings congestion
Further to the headline, 'Birubi the Jewel in Port's beach crown', (Examiner, May 2), as the article stated, a massive influx of 311,489 tourists visited this iconic beautiful crown of of the Port.
As a local, one recognises its beauty and therefore the congestion it brings but also realises the economic benefits for local businesses.
I am currently liaising with police and the council in regard to traffic issues from Gan Gan Road roundabout to the Anna Bay Village.
I further challenge the council to go one step further and make this gateway to the Bay more scenic or attractive to the visitor.
This should include kerb, guttering and a footpath from the roundabout to the village.
John King, Anna Bay
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