ANDREW Parsons has caused his share of controversy over the past four years of his recent term as a Councillor by regularly asking the hard questions of council directors at meetings.
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Cr Parson believes asking those questions and trying to affect change for the betterment of the community is his job and if it makes some uncomfortable than it does not bother him.
“It is time that we the ratepayers and residents of this community changed the dynamics of our Council,” he said.
“September 10 is the crucial opportunity to implement critical strategic change that should have happened in 2004 and yet over a decade later we are subjected to compounding deterioration, decline and decay.
I'll fight for all local residents
- Andrew Parsons
“The end effect is failing or failed assets from 2004 with a 2020 remedial cost that we will be servicing in 2040.”
Cr Parsons said the local community,residents and ratepayers alike require and deserve proactive representation at every level of Council and not by one or two people.
“Community representation is the fundamental responsibility of the people's advocates,the Councillors, all seven of them,” he said.
“Our new Council must reengage our community because our ratepayers and residents have expressed a distinct feeling of being disenfranchised.
“It is essential the new Councillors and Council are proficient in setting and achieving social, economic and civic leadership and I think community consultation in public forums must be reinstated as this is a fundamental factor in social leadership that is found lacking in our Council.”
Cr Parsons said that over the last four years the Glen Innes Severn Council has called upon its ratepayers for an additional $1.2 million, now effective annually, in general rates and drainage fees and this has caused a problem in the community.
“This significant cost impost has become the catalyst for additional levels of dissent and disdain with many demanding action not excuses as evident at the recent Pinkett Road Users AGM,” he said.
“Council has stated that it has been very effective in its achievement of being assessed as Fit For the Future by IPART.
“Well it is time that Council understood the measure of the Glen Innes Severn people and delivered on roads, infrastructure and services that are fit for this communities future.”
Cr Parsons said immediate and long term strategic asset and fiscal management is paramount if the Council is to survive the impending threats including those of forced amalgamation.
“Council has no time to waste nor does our community, so I’d ask voters to not waste their community or their vote and vote for me, vote for change and not rhetoric,” he said.
“I'll fight for all local residents.”
Craig Thomson
I am a media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcasts. I am currently the Editor of Australian Community Media's Launceston Examiner.
I am a media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcasts. I am currently the Editor of Australian Community Media's Launceston Examiner.
