Wrong priorities, wrong direction

I read with respect what Michael Giles had to say in this week’s Sentinel Times editorial comment. Tolerance, moderation and respect. Sometimes it’s hard to simply walk away.

Last week I wrote to our three Ward Councillors regarding the weeds that are proliferating in our Bass Coast Shire. Only Deputy Mayor Rochelle Halstead actually took the time to respond. I got nothing from Mayor Le Serve and nothing from Geoff Ellis - it appears that they could not be bothered.

Regrettably Mayor Le Serve, although a lovely person, has her priorities and ideology all wrong. Bass Coast is heading in the wrong direction under her leadership and that of the past Mayor Whelan.

Our priorities should be (1.) Cost of living - and supporting our own local community. (2.) Fix our roads and dangerous potholes. (3.) Build new housing in the shire for the ever-growing population and at the same time provide shelter for the homeless. (4.) Support the environment and Landcare and plant trees - spray the noxious weeds - get rid of pollutants and plastics. (5.) Provide up-to-date and good sporting facilities for all including swimming pools and jetties. (6.) Provide good public facilities throughout the shire including both separate male and female toilets. (7.) Provide openness and transparency at meetings and value for money. (8.) Way down the road is Climate Change. (In Bass Coast we have a local environment emergency, not a local climate change emergency - there is a difference).

Where is our month for the homeless?

Where is our next month for victims of domestic violence?

Where is our following month’s outcry against youth crime in our area? And how do we fix the problem?

In a few months’ time we have Council elections - please, let’s find and elect a few good councillors that actually care for the right things. Get back to real basics - not this feely-good tokenistic claptrap that we are stuck with at the moment.

Rob Parsons, The Gurdies.