Questions raising brows

I CONGRATULATE Cr Halstead, in raising a point during question time in Wednesdays council meeting, Wednesday 21, regarding a question from the former councillor and mayor, Mr Duscher regarding the missing mayoral chains worth $50,000.

Cr Halstead’s comments are of a concern regarding transparency between council officers the mayor and councillors.

As per Cr Halstead’s comments, “I would like to know why and how often letters addressed to both the mayor and councillors, are not provided to councillors for their information or input.”

The criticism was a veiled swipe at the former mayor Cr Michael Whelan, who was in the chair at the time, and the former CEO Ali Wastie, known for running a very tight ship where public correspondence was concerned.

I would like to make Cr Halstead aware of a freedom of information (FOI) request that I instigated in regard to questions raised by Bass Coast residents during April to September 2023, and not read out by the then mayor M Whelan. The number was one hundred and twenty-eight.

I congratulate Cr Halstead in her effort to step outside the squire and raise her concerns during question time regarding answer given by council officers.

Other councillors should take note and if they are not prepared to challenge council officers’ replies on question during question time, they should consider their position within Council. October is around the corner so think hard as your time may end in come October.

John Trigt, Surf Beach