It is becoming more and more difficult to determine what is Truth with the Eurobodalla Shire Council.
Sinking to new lows of addressing each other during Council meetings, contrary to the formal requirements of the Code of Meeting Practice but the names Rob, Maureen, Jack, James, Pat, Lindsay and Anthony are thrown around gayly as are Warren, Lindsay and Amanda, Kylie and Jeff. One big happy family.
Adding to this it appears that a councillor is more than able to advise another to "get their hand off it" without any redress from the chairing Mayor.
Adding to the slippery slope are pork pies. Little pork pies, big pork pies, lots of pork pies. Enough to open a pork pie shop.
Sadly the general public are not aware of the lies as these are boldly delivered and could only be noticed by those who are very close council watchers aware of the Acts, the policies, the guidelines and the actual history of what is quickly becoming a very grubby representation of local government.
There is a new boldness that has crept into the chamber and to the the actions of Council, brought about by their recognising that there are very few who recognise the breaches, the lies, the coverups. This gives them confidence to proceed, aware that they only need answer to the Office of Local Government under Codes of Conduct or complaints made to the Ombudsman's Office or Shadow Ministry who have little interest in such petty matters and minor breaches unworthy of their limited resources.
Last week's meeting was a corker when it came to pork pies. But you will need to look at the video to see them for yourself. They are there, recorded on video, looming large for the community to see. Those who can see them are amazed at the new levels of audacity that now sees pork pies openly brought into the chamber, proudly and defiantly held aloft like Morrison with his clump of coal. Daring someone to question them. To take it to a toothless higher authority.
The thirteen months remain under this Council. The months ahead should prove very interesting if the deceptions we are now witnessing offer an insight into what we might come to expect of our Council, which is less Open and far less Transparent each day that passes.
