Re: Candidates going missing
I urge all Maroondah residents to understand that only serious candidates who attended these sessions are deserving of your vote. I was pleased to attend and to listen to those older citizens to hear what they had to say, what pleased them, and what concerns them. I did hear that one candidate said, "It's a waste of time". Really? I would have thought that listening to what people had to say was a big part of being a councillor?
Rob Steane, Croydon, candidate for Wyreena ward (via web)
There is no doubt that some candidates are not serious, but Cr Rob Steane should not make an ill-informed judgment based on attending one event on a specific night. I had personally RSVP'd to attend. But due to a family emergency, I was unable to attend at the last minute and so sent my apologies. Please don't generalise and put everyone in the same basket. Keep an open mind and make your decisions for yourself. If you want to know about a candidate, pick up the phone and ring them. A brochure can say anything!
Mary-Anne Lowe, Croydon, candidate for Mullum ward (via web)
Re: Ranges submits campus plan
While Yarra Ranges Council is trying to retain post-secondary education in the outer east, their lack of community consultation on this master plan was apparent when they presented their grand vision at the community forum. The wish to build a convention centre at the site was a bolt out of the blue. It was clear at this meeting that the community's first concern was to retain the education facility in its current form. While tiptoeing around the political football, the council refused to admit that without the funding being restored it will be difficult to entice another provider to the site. With public providers shutting down courses and facilities statewide, it is highly unlikely that they will step in and save our campus. We need to insist that the state government block the sale of the Lilydale campus and restore TAFE funding so providers can run the facility as it was designed to run.
Peter Harris (via web)